Idenix hep C polymerase inhibtor shows promise in mid-stage study...

Posted 6/19/2012 on the Chicago Tribune website. Not a whole lot of info in this bare-bones press release, but it looks like Idenix's HCV polymerase inhibitor IDX184 is faring pretty well, at least with an n=31 in this mid-stage clinical trial in combo with P/R. More info to follow as soon as I can dig some up. 

Idenix hep C drug shows promise in mid-stage study
 
Reuters
4:34 p.m. CDT, June 19, 2012

(Reuters) - Idenix Pharmaceuticals Inc said interim data from a mid-stage trial on its experimental hepatitis C drug showed promise, sending its shares up 12 percent.

The drug, IDX184, was given to 31 patients in combination with the standard hep C treatments pegylated interferon and ribavirin.

Nine patients received the combination therapy for 12 extended weeks and were checked four weeks later for signs of the virus in the blood to determine if there was a sustained virologic response, or SVR.

All four patients in the 100 mg arm and four out of five patients in the 50 mg arm achieved a sustained virologic response four weeks after the completion of treatment.

Patients who did not have undetectable levels of virus at 4 weeks and 12 weeks automatically entered the 36-week combination therapy extended treatment phase which is ongoing, the company said.

Idenix shares rose 12 percent to $10.45 in extended trade, after closing at $9.37 on Tuesday on the Nasdaq.

(Reporting by Shailesh Kuber in Bangalore; Editing by Saumyadeb Chakrabarty)