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VX-222

VX-222 is a small molecule non-nucleoside inhibitor of HCV NS5B polymerase that is being investigated for the treatment of hepatitis C virus infection.

Clinical trial results: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nasdaq: VRTX) today announced interim results from ZENITH, an ongoing Phase 2 study designed to assess the safety, tolerability and efficacy of multiple 12- and 24-week response-guided treatment regimens with VX-222 (400 mg or 100 mg), its lead polymerase inhibitor in development, in combination with INCIVEK™ (telaprevir) tablets, pegylated-interferon and ribavirin in people with genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C who were new to treatment. This is an interim analysis from patients in the four-drug treatment arms and was conducted after these patients completed their assigned treatment. Results showed that 50 percent of people (15/30) in the study who received VX-222 (400 mg) in combination with INCIVEK, pegylated-interferon and ribavirin were eligible to stop all treatment at week 12, and 93 percent (14/15) of these patients had undetectable hepatitis C virus 12 weeks after treatment ended (sustained viral response 12, or SVR12). Patients from the VX-222 (400 mg) treatment arm who were not eligible to stop all treatment at week 12 received an additional 12 weeks of pegylated-interferon and ribavirin alone for 24 total weeks of treatment. The hepatitis C virus was undetectable in 100 percent (13/13) of these patients at the end of 24 weeks. In this study, VX-222, INCIVEK and ribavirin were given twice daily (BID). Interim safety results from the four-drug treatment arms showed that mild gastrointestinal symptoms and mild fatigue were the most frequently reported adverse events. Side effects consistent with the known safety profile of INCIVEK combination treatment also were observed. (Source: http://investors.vrtx.com/releasedetail.cfm?releaseid=593939).   

1: Yi G, Deval J, Fan B, Cai H, Soulard C, Ranjith-Kumar CT, Smith DB, Blatt L, Beigelman L, Kao CC. Comparative Inhibition of the Hepatitis C Virus RNA Polymerase by VX-222 and Filibuvir - a Biochemical Study. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2011 Dec 5. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 22143520.

2: Godzik P, Komorowski M, Cielecka-Kuszyk J, Madaliński K. [Inhibitors of hepatitis C virus--current standards and status of investigations]. Przegl Epidemiol. 2010;64(4):473-8. Polish. PubMed PMID: 21473060.