- Achillion Achieves 100% SVR12 in Eight-Week Phase 2 Trial Evaluating a Ribavirin-Free Regimen of ACH-3102 and Sofosbuvir for Genotype 1 HCV ("Proxy Study") Including Nine of 12 Patients With Viral Loads Higher Than 6 Million IU/ml at Baseline -
- Reports Additional Preclinical Results for ACH-3422, Uridine-Analog Nucleotide NS5B Polymerase Inhibitor -
NEW HAVEN, Conn., Nov. 8, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:ACHN) today announced the presentation of results from the ongoing Phase 2 study of ACH-3102 in a late breaker poster and data in three preclinical posters on ACH-3422. The poster presentations are being made at the 65th Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), The Liver Meeting 2014, which takes place through November 11, 2014 in Boston, MA.
Late Breaker Poster Presentation: Phase 2 pilot study evaluating eight week treatment of ACH-3102 in combination with sofosbuvir for genotype 1 treatment-naïve HCV
In a late breaker poster presentation, Achillion reported updated interim results from an ongoing interferon-free, ribavirin-free, Phase 2 open-label, randomized, partial-crossover study to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of eight weeks or six weeks of ACH-3102 and sofosbuvir, a marketed nucleotide polymerase inhibitor, without ribavirin, in treatment-naïve genotype 1 HCV-infected patients. The primary objective of the study is determination of sustained viral response 12 weeks (SVR12) after the completion of therapy. Eighteen patients were enrolled, including six observational patients. Twelve patients completed eight weeks of treatment consisting of 50 mg of ACH-3102 and 400 mg of sofosbuvir administered once daily while observational patients received no drug during this phase of the trial.
Of the 12 patients treated, 100 percent (n=12/12) achieved SVR12. Of the 12 patients treated in this study, nine of 12 patients had a baseline viral load substantially greater than 6 million IU/ml at baseline. No on-treatment viral breakthrough or post-treatment viral relapse has been observed.
Preclinical poster presentations on ACH-3422
Achillion presented three posters at AASLD which reported updated preclinical results on ACH-3422. The in vitro results demonstrated that this nucleotide pro-drug has improved potency against genotype 3 HCV as compared to sofosbuvir. In addition, in a separate poster presentation, Achillion reported that ACH-3422 displays additive to synergistic activity when combined with ACH-3102 or sovaprevir, Achillion's Phase 2 NS3/4A protease inhibitor, in vitro. Furthermore, the high barrier to resistance for ACH-3422 was supported with the ability of the agent to block, in vitro, the appearance of resistant colonies in combination with other direct-acting antiviral agents.
"The antiviral activity and safety profile observed to date for ACH-3422 both in preclinical studies and in the ongoing 422-001 Phase 1 trial support further development with this nucleotide in combination with Achillion's other direct-acting antivirals, and represents an exciting treatment option for HCV," commented Professor Edward Gane, M.D., Deputy Director and Hepatologist, New Zealand Liver Transplant Unit, Auckland City Hospital in New Zealand, and Lead Investigator in the ACH-3422 Phase 1 proof-of-concept study and Phase 2 proxy study of ACH-3102 and sofosbuvir.
Reprints of the posters are available on the Company's website at www.achillion.com/resources.
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 150 million people are infected with HCV worldwide including more than 5 million people in the United States. Three-fourths of the HCV patient population is undiagnosed; it is a silent epidemic and a major global health threat. Chronic hepatitis, if left untreated, can lead to permanent liver damage that can result in the development of liver cancer, liver failure or death.
About Achillion Pharmaceuticals
Achillion is seeking to apply its expertise in biology and structure-guided design and a deep understanding of patient and clinician needs to develop innovative treatment solutions aimed at improving patients' lives. The company's scientific excellence, integrated capabilities and experienced team position it to successfully achieve its goal of advancing new products along the entire continuum from the bench to the patient. Achillion's pipeline is currently focused on small molecule therapeutics for infectious disease and complement-related diseases. www.achillion.com
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
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 important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including statements with respect to: the Company's reiteration that it remains on track to initiate all-oral ribavirin-free regimens with ACH-3422, ACH-3102 and sovaprevir for the treatment of HCV in 2015; the Company's expectations that the Phase 1 study of ACH-3422 could inform the potential initiation of combination studies of ACH-3422 and ACH-3102; and the Company's expectations that it may report preliminary results from its Phase 1 program during the fall of 2014. Achillion may use words such as "expect," "anticipate," "project," "intend," "plan," "aim," "believe," "seek," " estimate," "can," "focus," "will," and "may" and similar expressions to identify such forward-looking statements. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements are risks relating to, among other things Achillion's ability to: demonstrate in any current and future clinical trials the requisite safety, efficacy and combinability of its drug candidates; advance the preclinical and clinical development of its drug candidates, including ACH-3422, ACH-3102 and sovaprevir, under the timelines it projects in current and future clinical trials; obtain and maintain necessary regulatory approvals; obtain and maintain patent protection for its drug candidates and the freedom to operate under third party intellectual property; establish commercial manufacturing arrangements; identify, enter into and maintain collaboration agreements with appropriate third-parties; compete successfully with other companies that are seeking to develop improved therapies for the treatment of HCV; manage expenses; manage litigation; raise the substantial additional capital needed to achieve its business objectives; and successfully execute on its business strategies. 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 year ended December 31, 2013, and its subsequent SEC filings.
In addition, any forward-looking statement in this press release represents Achillion's views only as of the date of this press release and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. Achillion disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statement, except as required by applicable law.
No comments:
Post a Comment