ZymoGenetics begins PEG-Interferon lambda Phase 2b clinical trial in hepatitis C

Biopharmaceutical company ZymoGenetics Inc (NASDAQ:ZGEN) stated on Wednesday that the company has commenced the second part of a Phase 2 clinical trial with PEG-Interferon lambda (IL-29) and ribavirin in treatment-naive patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The company said it is developing the investigational compound PEG-Interferon lambda in partnership with Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY). According to the partnership, the Phase 2 EMERGE study is an international, randomised multi-centre clinical trial. Three highest doses of PEG-Interferon lambda were selected for the trial, namely 120 mcg, 180 mcg and 240 mcg. This Phase 2b study will enroll approximately 600 patients with genotypes 1- 4 chronic HCV infection. The primary endpoint of the trial is the proportion of patients who achieve undetectable levels of HCV RNA after 12 weeks of therapy, said the partnership. PEG-Interferon lambda (IL-29) is a novel interferon in development for hepatitis C. The product is a member of the Type III lambda interferon family, which includes IL-28A, IL-28B and IL-29, stated the partnership