( - Albuferon 900-mcg dosed every two wee...)Human Genome Sciences Announces Positive Final Results Of Phase 2b,Trial of Albuferon,Health

ROCKVILLE, Md., June 07, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Human Genome Sciences, Inc. today announced the top-line final results of a Phase 2b clinical trial of Albuferon(R) (albinterferon alfa-2b) in combination with ribavirin in treatment-naive patients with genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C. The Company expects to make a full presentation of the final results at an appropriate scientific meeting later in 2007.

"The final Phase 2b results confirm and extend the findings of several studies, which suggest that Albuferon may offer efficacy at least comparable to peginterferon alfa-2a, with half the injections and possibly less impairment of quality of life," said John McHutchison, M.D., Coordinating Center Principal Investigator for the Phase 2b trial, and Professor of Medicine and Associate Director, Duke Clinical Research Institute and Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina. "We are extremely pleased with the high quality of the data that have emerged from the Phase 2b study, and we look forward to continuing the evaluation of the 900-mcg and 1200-mcg doses of Albuferon in larger populations in Phase 3 trials."

The primary efficacy endpoint of the Phase 2b trial of Albuferon was sustained virologic response (SVR), defined as undetectable viral load (HCV RNA<10 IU/mL) at 24 weeks following completion of therapy. The final results demonstrated that Albuferon provided at least comparable efficacy vs. Pegasys (peginterferon alfa-2a), based on an ITT analysis. The treatment group receiving Albuferon 900-mcg doses every two weeks achieved an SVR rate of 58.5%, vs. 57.9% for the group receiving Pegasys once every week (ITT analysis). This Albuferon treatment group also had more favorable health- related quality-of-life scor
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