( response offered by the1200-microgram ...)Human Genome Sciences Announces Positive Final Results Of Phase 2b,Trial of Albuferon,Health

    Albuferon 1200-mcg Monthly (Albuferon 1200 Q4w)


    -- ITT analysis shows that 50.9% of patients in the Albuferon 1200 Q4w

       treatment group achieved SVR, vs. 57.9% for Pegasys administered every

       week.

    -- In heavier patients (>75 kg) who were treatment-adherent, 61.0% of

       those in the Albuferon 1200 Q4w treatment group achieved SVR, versus

       53.3% for Pegasys administered once every week.

    -- Among all treatment-adherent patients in the Albuferon 1200 Q4w

       treatment group, 62.0% achieved SVR, versus 66.7% for Pegasys.

    -- The rate of discontinuations due to adverse events was 12.1% in the

       Albuferon 1200 Q4w treatment group, vs. 6.1% in the Pegasys group.

    -- The number of patients experiencing severe hematologic adverse events

       was significantly lower in the Albuferon 1200 Q4w treatment group

       (10.3%, vs. 23.7% for Pegasys, p=0.006).

"We are encouraged that more than half of the patients achieved sustained virologic response in the treatment group receiving Albuferon 1200-mcg once every month," said Dr. Stump. "These data, along with emerging Phase 2 data for a monthly 1500-mcg dose, provide an excellent rationale for the study that we and our collaborator, Novartis, are currently planning to evaluate higher doses of Albuferon administered monthly."

The top-line final Phase 2b results include data through Week 24 following completion of 48 weeks of therapy. The open-label, multi-center, active- controlled, dose-ranging trial enrolled and randomized 458 patients with genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C. Patients were randomized into four treatment groups, three of which received subcutaneously administered Albuferon (900 mcg every two weeks, 1200 mcg every two weeks, and 1200 mcg every four weeks). The fourth treatment group served as the active control group and recei
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