CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Jan. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Idenix Pharmaceuticals, Inc. , a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery and development of drugs for the treatment of human viral diseases, today announced significant progress in three HCV programs. Idenix will provide a business update on these three HCV development programs and on its partnered programs during a presentation by Jean-Pierre Sommadossi, Ph.D., chairman and chief executive officer, to financial analysts and investors at the 28th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco on Thursday, January 14 at 8:00 a.m. PST.
Interim analysis of the first 10 patients randomized into the first cohort (50 mg QD):
Median ALT and AST levels, markers of liver injury, improved during treatment. There were no serious adverse events on treatment, no treatment discontinuations and laboratory profiles were comparable to standard PegIFN/Ribavirin treatment.
IDX375: Non-Nucleoside HCV Polymerase Inhibitor
A Phase I single ascending dose study evaluating the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of IDX375 in healthy volunteers is ongoing. The first five cohorts (25 mg QD, 50 mg QD, 100 mg QD, 200 mg QD and 200 mg BID; 6 active:2 placebo) in this double-blind, placebo-controlled study have been completed. Data suggest favorable plasma exposure of IDX375 with a long elimination half-life of 32-40 hours demonstrating the potential for once- or twice-daily dosing in patients. IDX375 was generally safe and well tolerated. There were no significant lab abnormalities. The most common adverse event was mild diarrhea (3/30 subjects). Additional cohorts with higher single and multiple doses are planned.
"We are pleased with these early data from our clinical programs and look forward to their continued advancement throughout the year," said Jean-Pierre Sommadossi, Ph.D., chairman and chief executive officer of Idenix. "In addition, we are excited about our new protease inhibitor clinical candidate, IDX320, and expect to begin a phase I clinical trial soon. With three promising clinical programs that span major HCV drug classes, Idenix is well positioned to play an important role in the transformation of the HCV treatment paradigm."
About Idenix
Idenix Pharmaceuticals, Inc., headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery and development of drugs for the treatment of human viral diseases. Idenix's current focus is on the treatment of infections caused by hepatitis C virus. For further information about Idenix and to access the webcast of the J.P. Morgan presentation, please refer to www.idenix.com.
All forward-looking statements reflect the company's expectations only as of the date of this release and should not be relied upon as reflecting the company's views, expectations or beliefs at any date subsequent to the date of this release. Idenix anticipates that subsequent events and developments may cause these views, expectations and beliefs to change. However, while Idenix may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, it specifically disclaims any obligation to do so.
Idenix Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
