Idenix Pharmaceuticals (IDIX)

[gofishmarko]

Medscape coverage of Liver Meeting

A little dated but it has some comments by docs about Tyzeka and other drugs that might be new to some :

http://www.medscape.com/viewprogram/6151


I found this comment -in bold- by Pockros on the Roche polymerase inhibitor interesting :

""The decreases in HCV RNA from baseline observed with R1626 are greater than those previously described for HCV polymerase inhibitors, and similar to those seen with protease inhibitors," the study investigators report in their meeting abstract.

The investigators intend to begin treatment with R1626 and peg-interferon alfa-2a, with or without ribavirin.

"One question we're trying to answer in our phase 2 study is, do you need ribavirin in the combination therapy or do you not?" Dr. Pockros said. "Up until now ribavirin has been a key ingredient. If our theory holds, then ribavirin would only be required to prevent relapse once therapy is stopped."

They also hope to shorten the current 48-week course of treatment by rapidly reducing viral load at the beginning of treatment, he added."


It sounds like he's thinking about using riba alone after the initial therapy , presumably to function as an immunomodulator. This idea is similar to those being discussed currently for HBV , where the theory is that immunomodulators should be used AFTER the direct antiviral(s) has reduced viral load to near zero, rather than using them concurrently.