Potent Hepatitis C Virus Inhibitors Show Efficacy and Potential for Once Daily Dosing in Preclinic...( Data Presented at the 2nd Annual I...),Health

Data Presented at the 2nd Annual International Workshop on Hepatitis C

Resistance & New Compounds

WATERTOWN, Mass., Nov. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Researchers from Enanta Pharmaceuticals today presented data on novel Hepatitis C protease inhibitors with potent antiviral activity in the cell-based replicon assay and favorable pre-clinical pharmacokinetic properties with the potential for once-daily dosing in humans.

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) increases a person's chances of developing chronic liver disease, and affects more than 170 million people worldwide. Current treatment options are not sufficient. Specifically targeted antiviral therapies for HCV, such as NS3/4a protease inhibitors, may have the potential to increase the proportion of patients in whom the virus can be eradicated.

The abstract, "Potent HCV protease inhibitors with the potential for once-daily dosing," was presented today in a session focused on protease inhibitors at 8:30 a.m. during the 2nd Annual International Workshop on Hepatitis C Resistance & New Compounds in Boston.

"These compounds have demonstrated remarkable potency in the antiviral replicon assay and favorable pre-clinical pharmacokinetic properties supporting the potential for once-daily dosing in humans," said Yat Sun Or, Senior Vice President, Research and Development of Enanta Pharmaceuticals. "These data demonstrate our commitment to the discovery of next-generation protease inhibitors that will enhance the treatment options for patients who are infected with hepatitis C."

Abbott and Enanta Pharmaceuticals formed a collaboration in 2006 to develop and commercialize HCV protease inhibitors. The partnership leverages Abbott's innovative work in the protease inhibitor field against the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and leadership in the area of antiviral therapies and Enanta's core expertise in chemistry and drug discovery. The HCV NS 3/4A serine protease is the focus of
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