NEW HAVEN, Conn., Dec. 6, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:ACHN) today announced that data from the Company's ongoing clinical studies of ACH-1625 has been accepted for presentation at the 21st Annual Conference of the Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver (APASL 2011) to be held February 17-21, 2011 in Bangkok, Thailand.
ACH-1625 is an inhibitor of HCV NS3 protease that was discovered and is being developed by Achillion.
The presentation, entitled "Viral Kinetics Modeling of Short-term Monotherapy Data of ACH-1625, an HCV Protease Inhibitor," will be presented by Dr. Atul Agarwal, Senior Director of Computational Chemistry of Achillion. (Abstract A-315-0024-00792.) The presentation describes a mathematical analysis of HCV RNA data collected after oral administration of ACH-1625 in HCV genotype 1 infected subjects. This analysis shows rapid and near complete hepatitis C virus clearance following ACH-1625 administration at all dose levels tested. In addition, mathematical modeling of HCV viral kinetics provided information that allowed for subsequent dose selection for Phase II clinical development of ACH-1625.
"These data support and further demonstrate ACH-1625's robust antiviral activity," said Dr. Agarwal. "With clinical data that demonstrated reductions in viral RNA between 3-4.25 log10, these mathematical data quantitatively show the percentage of total virus cleared after five days of ACH-1625 monotherapy. This data also identifies specific patient population characteristics."
"We are pleased to continue to put forward a large body of scientific and clinical data on ACH-1625," commented Michael D. Kishbauch, Chief Executive Officer of Achillion. "We look forward to completing the current Phase II clinical trial of ACH-1625 to further support its profile as a potential best-in-class protease inhibitor for the treatment of HCV."
About ACH-1625
ACH-1625 is an HCV protease inhibitor designed and synthesized based on crystal structures of enzyme/inhibitor complex. ACH-1625 is an open chain, non-covalent, reversible inhibitor of NS3 protease. In preclinical studies, ACH-1625 demonstrated high potency, unique pharmacokinetic properties and an excellent safety profile at high drug exposures. With its rapid and extensive partitioning to the liver, as well as high liver/plasma ratios demonstrated in preclinical studies, Achillion believes that ACH-1625 has the potential for once daily dosing. ACH-1625 has shown low single-digit nanomolar potency that is specific to HCV. It is equipotent against HCV genotypes 1a and 1b at IC50~1nM.
In clinical studies, HCV-infected patients receiving doses ranging from 200 to 600 mg twice daily, and 400 to 600 mg once daily, showed mean maximal reductions in viral load ranging from of 3.07 log10 to 4.25 log10. Furthermore, all patients had viral loads that remained suppressed for at least 7 days after dosing was completed, maintaining a mean reduction of more than 1log10 from baseline through day 12, the last day of viral load measurement in the study.
About HCV
The hepatitis C virus is the most common cause of viral hepatitis, which is an inflammation of the liver. It is currently estimated that more than 170 million people are infected with HCV worldwide and The American Association of Liver Disease estimates that up to 80% of individuals become chronically infected following exposure to the virus. If left untreated, chronic hepatitis can lead to permanent liver damage, which can result in the development of liver cancer, liver failure or death. Few therapeutic options currently exist for the treatment of HCV infection. The current standard of care is limited by its specificity for certain types of HCV, significant side-effect profile, and injectable route of administration.
About Achillion
Achillion is an innovative pharmaceutical company dedicated to bringing important new treatments to patients with infectious disease. Achillion's proven discovery and development teams have advanced multiple product candidates with novel mechanisms of action. Achillion is focused on solutions for the most challenging problems in infectious disease -hepatitis C, resistant bacterial infections and HIV. For more information on Achillion Pharmaceuticals, please visit www.achillion.com or call 1-203-624-7000.
This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, including statements with respect to the potency, safety and other characteristics of ACH-1625, which may not be duplicated in future cohorts at different doses or in future clinical studies of longer duration, as well as Achillion's expectations regarding timing and duration of other clinical trials. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements are: uncertainties relating to results of clinical trials, unexpected regulatory actions or delays, and Achillion's ability to obtain additional funding required to conduct its research, development and commercialization activities. These and other risks are described in the reports filed by Achillion with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.
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