Schering 503034 clinical trial

[pvk]

I have an appointment on Friday at a hospital that's doing a clinical trial with Schering 503034, a protease inhibitor along the lines of vx-950.  All the arms of the study will receive peg and riba with varying dosages and durations of the new drug (including one arm with placebo).  

Does anyone on this board know anything about this drug?  
Does it look as promising as vx-950 or is it too early to say?
Also, can anyone suggest what questions I need to ask at the screening appointment?

I'm not necessarily in a hurry to do treatment.  Although I think I've had hep c for 30 years, my recent biopsy was stage 1, grade 2 and VL 800,000.  But if this is a good opportunity I'm willing to give it a shot.  Any thoughts?  Thanks for anything you can suggest.

[mari74]

Is this trial in Chicago?
I, too, will sign up for an upcoming trial, but I do not know the name of it.

[pvk]

This one's in Los Angeles.

[miked]

In early 505034 trials, the drug did not have the sharp 4log viral load drops like VX-950.  I forget the exact number but Schering's PI had a VL drop of like 2.7Logs.  What's interesting though is that they were OK with non-responders and Vertex wanted tx naive.  Both drugs are fast tracked by the FDA.

I was asked to the trial about 10 months ago but declined because of the Vertex stats and the fact that 503034 is requiring a 12 month trial.  I'm hoping for something less.

Any rashes with 503034?