Idenix drug does very well in study

7:02AM Idenix Pharma says Valopicitabine combined with standard of care cleared Hepatitis C virus in 72% of patients who completed 12 weeks of treatment (IDIX) 7.23 : Co announces results from a phase II study designed to evaluate triple combination therapy, consisting of valopicitabine, the co's lead drug candidate for the treatment of hepatitis C, pegylated interferon and ribavirin compared to pegylated interferon and ribavirin. This study demonstrated no pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic drug-drug interaction between valopicitabine and ribavirin. The triple combination showed consistently higher rates of HCV PCR-negativity, defined as serum HCV RNA levels below 20 copies/mL, compared to the standard of care at every point analyzed in this study. Additionally, the tolerability of the triple combination was satisfactory, with only three discontinuations from the study.

[nygirl7]

Hum I wonder why this isn't bigger news since it's stats are much more impressive than Vertex?  72% clear at 12 weeks is much better than current standard of care numbers for us geno1 types.

I'm confused now as to why we aren't hearing more about it - or have I just been sleeping?

Do you know of sides?  Trials?  any other info?


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I'm post 72 weeks tx and so far so good but it never hurts to know more for the future and for others!  Damn this disease!

[andiamo]

My guess at the answer to your question is that Vertex spends more money on stockholder relations than Idenix does and that is the main reason.

My Doctor has been telling me for months to buy the stock, since he feels that it is as good as the Vertex drug.  He also feels that the ultimate treatment will include a protease inhibitor along with a polymerase inhibitor plus SOC.  So Idenix is great new for us.

[Alady1620]

I cleared on Valopictibine and pegasys without the ribavirin but the results of the study were not good for most.  I am glad to hear this new study is doing better.

I think part of the reason that this isn't bigger news is bc the Valopicitibe causes horrible gastro issues.  Combined with the Rib and the peg, I know it has got to be doing a number on the people taking it.  Sure, they're clearing but I know from my own experiences that it has got to be hell being on that study.  Even if the drugs don't interact like they say, that doesn't mean these people aren't having really hard sx.

[andiamo]

glad to hear you had such good results.  That is interesting informaiton on the sides though.  

What was the duration of your treatment?

[web52]

as far as the stock goes, they ended down today when they said they would need to run another phase 2 trial & the phase 3 would be put off for an additional year. 2 analyst downgraded the stock. haven't read the study, but the need for another phase 2 raises questions. don't forget, vrtx was in the 40s & is now under 27. but, the news does add to the opinion that future tx will likely involve a "cocktail".  

[Proactive]

Actually I don't think the released data was as good as what was expected..
(note: 61.5% cleared with soc..)
"Idenix said it met the primary goal of showing no interactions between its drug and ribavirin among patients with a certain type of hepatitis C. Among 39 patients receiving a triple-drug combination, 72.2% achieved a significant reduction in the virus compared with 61.5% among 39 patients receiving the dual-drug standard of care. However, three patients quit the Idenix-group test due to side effects.

The dropouts prompted the Bear Stearns and Susquehanna analysts to remark that the comparison between the Idenix group and the standard-of-care groups is weaker than the official numbers in the clinical trial. "

"Both Bear Stearns and Susquehanna Financial lowered their ratings after Idenix management revealed the drug would need another phase II, or midstage, clinical trial before moving to the larger phase III setting.

"We expect timelines to be pushed back by at least one year and a phase III trial [will] begin in the second half of 2008," says Jason Kolbert, of Susquehanna, in a report to clients. He doesn't own shares. His firm says it seeks to do business with companies mentioned in research reports."
http://www.thestreet.com/_yahoo/newsanalysis/pharmaceuticals/10362130.html

[Alady1620]

I treated for 48 weeks.  

[nygirl7]

Has anybody seen or heard from Mr. Beagle Bailey?  This is the med I wanted to talk to him about but couldn't remember what it was called when he popped on of course!

He can't take the riba so this is a good option for him to try -
"I cleared on Valopictibine and pegasys without the ribavirin "

certainly much better than nothing!

I know I have his email on my dead computer at home I'll have to try to figure out my old webmail password to get in there to get him!