Anadys Pharmaceuticals Initiates Phase I Clinical Trial...( Company Developing Non-Nucleoside P...),Health

Company Developing Non-Nucleoside Polymerase Inhibitor for Treatment of

Hepatitis C

SAN DIEGO, June 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Anadys Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ANDS) announced today the initiation of dosing in a Phase I clinical trial of ANA598, an investigational oral non-nucleoside polymerase inhibitor for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The objectives of this trial are to assess safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics following ascending single oral doses of ANA598 in healthy volunteers. Approximately 40 healthy subjects will participate in the study, which is being conducted in the United States. Following successful completion of the healthy volunteer study, Anadys plans to begin a Phase Ib study of ANA598 in HCV-infected patients in the third quarter of 2008.

"Based on its very favorable preclinical profile, including potency, pharmacokinetics, and tolerability, we believe ANA598 has the potential to become an important component of future combination therapy for patients with HCV infection," said James Freddo, M.D., Anadys' Chief Medical Officer. "We are excited about initiating this clinical program and look forward to future trials of ANA598 in HCV patients, first as a single agent and then in subsequent combination studies. We expect the full benefit of direct antivirals to be demonstrated when studied as components of novel combination regimens incorporating multiple anti-HCV agents."

Steve Worland, Ph.D., Anadys' President and CEO commented, "This is a significant milestone for Anadys. ANA598 is the second internally discovered compound that we've moved into clinical studies this year. With the commencement of dosing in a Phase I clinical
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