November Boceprevir Update

[Magnum]

http://www.forexpros.com/news/general-news/update-1-once-daily-schering-hepatitis-c-drug-shows-promise-99787

Magnum

[frijole]

Another interesting tidbit on Vertex.  They are apparently thinking of going it alone.  That is, instead of selling out to a major or partnering with one, they are collaberating with Bend Research on formulation and production issues.

"Vertex Pharmaceuticals CEO says "we want to be an independent" company
Vertex Pharmaceuticals CEO Matthew Emmens said "we want to be an independent" company in a CNBC interview. Emmends added that the hepatitis C market is "huge" and that Vertex has drugs beyond Telaprevir "

They are no dummies.

frijole

[frijole]

Magnum - Interesting article.  Seems to be on another SCH drug called Narlaprevir, not Boceprevir, in conjuction with an HIV drug which makes it a 4-drug cocktail.  I am glad they are pushing on with other PIs and not just staying with the BOC.

For everyone's information -- Schering Plough has already merged with Merck -- Nov 5 or 6, I believe.  I have concerns that the SCH research will be lost in the shuffle.  Seems like Merck has a lot of other bigger things going on.  I hope I am wrong about that.

As for the discussion that Telaprevir looks better than Boceprevir -- is there anyone that can tell me if Vertex has resolved the rash issue?  I have not heard that they did.  I though there was still a big drop-out rate due to the rash.  I would like to be wrong, so someone please tell me.

frijole

[newleaf09]

Oh Susan, I am just figuring our what happened to you in the trial when you say there was no riba.  Schering also did a low riba arm in an earlier Boceprevir trial and those people did not do well either.  Hoping you will do well on Boceprevir in the future.  

[susan400]

Vertex might have a great drug, but it won't be a great drug for me!!  On top of the fact that I've already been exposed to it and did not clear..., thus, I can't treat with it again..., according to the experts..., I got a horrendous rash from it.  I KNOW it was the Telaprevir and not the Riba, since there was no Riba in the mix.  So, with that in mind, I think I'd rather take my chances with anemia and neutropenia of Boceprevir..., thank-you.  It is my intension to retreat with Boceprevir with highest possible dose of Peg-Intron and Riba..., as soon as I can have the opportunity to get my hands on it and have a way to pay for it.  That might take me several years after it's available, but it's my plan for now.  The polymerase inhibitors are even further out from approval than the Boceprevir so, don't know that I want to wait that long since the trials aren't taking me anymore it seems.  Susan400

[newleaf09]

I did the 4 wk SOC lead-in with addition of boceprevir for another 24, total of 28 wks TX.  Friend in teleprevir trial at same time also did 28.  I would be reluctant to say one is better than the other.  There are just minor differences in the side effects to be expected.  I imagine they will attempt to reduce TX times down even further with either those 2 or the second generation PI's, like the narlaprevir Magnum is referring to but that will take some time.  It will all end up at the same place, putting geno 1's at the same SVR rate of 80-90%, like geno 2 & 3.  

[GreatBird]

Not necessarily so.

On the trial I've been on 1/3 of the participants were on boceprevir for 24 weeks (with a 4 week leadin that's 28 weeks). Another arm had half drop the Boceprevir at 28 weeks and continue with SOC to 48, while half continued with the Boceprevir. That's only 17% of trial participants who went a full 48 weeks with the Boceprevir. The final arm was SOC only.

[copyman]

"Larger U.S. rival Merck & Co is expected to acquire Schering-Plough in coming weeks, thereby becoming an instant global leader in the hepatitis C field"

Even if this happens Vertex will still have the best PI drug. Their drug Telaprevir will have a TX duration of 24 weeks vs Boceprevir's 48 weeks.

As big as Merck / Schering will be after a merge a little company called Vertex will have the biggest PI on the market. Go figure

[banarep]

Yea, but have to be careful, it is not like VISTA - buy it to quick and then you find out all the problems it has.  these new drugs are showing promise, but right now that is all they are showing.  i quit getting excited years ago, when almost 60% of the new drugs were discontinued due to the side effects.  just tell me about the stuff after phase ii.

there was a drug years ago that showed great promise, then those that were taking it started going blind -

[Rockerforlife]

PI drugs are almost like buying a new computer now,even before the next model is out,another better and faster model arrives with faster  chips and memory.

[Magnum]

"Larger U.S. rival Merck & Co is expected to acquire Schering-Plough in coming weeks, thereby becoming an instant global leader in the hepatitis C field".

magnum