HCV Polymerase Inhibitor VX-222 Demonstrates Good Safety and Antiviral Activity in Treatment-naive Genotype 1 Hepatitis C Patients

SUMMARY: The experimental hepatitis C virus (HCV) polymerase inhibitor VX-222, being developed by Vertex, was generally well-tolerated and exhibited good antiviral activity over 3 days across a range of doses in treatment-naive genotype 1 patients, according to a Phase 1b study presented last week at the 45th Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL 2010) in Vienna.

http://hcvadvocate.org/news/newsRev/2010/NewsRev-359.html#_HCV_Polymerase_Inhibitor

[Cory255]

Vertex is experimenting with the newly developed polymerase inhibitor VX-222.  It seems to have a potent antiviral effect after 3 days!

The study included 32 naive genotype 1 patients. Looks like there was an average RNA HEP C VIRAL PCR QUAN decline of >3log10 at day 4.  There was a a HCV RNA viral load decrease of at least 3 log IU/mL in everyone.  

Pegylated Interferon alfa-2a + Ribavirin + Telaprevir = virus eradication even in prior non responders!

[Rockerforlife]

Most PI`s do have that effect,they knock the virus out within days,and keep it out

[RobertBeWell]

So why is it gonna take 10 years for us to get our hands on it?

[Rockerforlife]

Dont want to sound negative,but just maybe the drug is too good,with the cure rates well over 80% this means there will be no almost noboby left with this disease if everybody treats with all the new P` drugs.If this drug is goona wipe out the hepatitis,the drug companys have just a one shot kinda deal to make big cash,so i bet they might be charging and arm and a leg for it,when it finaly hits the public....just my thoughts..seems like they are not telling us too much on the releqase dates

[Diamando6]

Yes, Rocker, I agree, seems like we will have to wait for a new med, or they will have to invent a new "uncurable " desease :)

[Cory255]

Here's this article if you haven't seen it already.  I posted it on an earlier thread.  It kind of gives a brief overview on what is expected to happen release date wise for a lot of the new developing drugs.  Thought it was interesting.  

http://pubs.acs.org/cen/coverstory/88/8818cover.html

Researchers expect three waves of small-molecule drug approvals, each of which will improve HCV treatment. First, telaprevir and boceprevir are likely to be approved next year as add-ons to the current treatment regimen. The second wave, in three to five years, will bring second-generation protease blockers, a crop of polymerase inhibitors, and new classes of compounds such as Bristol-Myers Squibb’s NS5A inhibitor and Debiopharm’s cyclophilin inhibitor. Finally, researchers hope that in the next five to 10 years they will reach the ultimate goal—enough data to convince doctors and the Food & Drug Administration that the virus can be quieted with combinations of small molecules alone.

[Magnum]

Only problem here is, with all the new drugs being tested, they always mention "naive". What about the null responders? I say let's not uncork the champagne yet...

Magnum

[Rockerforlife]

I cant understand why the drug companys wont help the ones who need it most right now,this will save money on transplant costs and even help to stop the spread of this disease,im sure they will have trials geared  to non-null responders coming along too,but it does seem like they are taking thier sweet a,ss time.Where is the this fast track they talk about?Its not like they will go broke helping out the ones who need it now,like the stage 3-4 people...we all know by now the PI` s are workn and safe...im still alive after almost one year post and SVR after the bocep