Biotech Values

[DewDiligence]

Re: ACHN’s HCV pipeline

ACH-1095 (a.k.a. GS-9525) is an NS4A inhibitor. NS4A is a cofactor for the protease, and hence ACH-1095 intervenes at a later point in HCV replication than PI’s. Whether a drug with this MoA is additive and/or synergistic with PI’s and polymerase inhibitors remains to be seen since the drug has not yet started clinical trials.

ACH-1095 has the same MoA as ACH-806, the drug that failed due to excess creatinine (#msg-18754183). ACH-1095 and the entire NS4A program is partnered with GILD.

ACHN’s PI is called ACH-1625. It’s main differentiation vs other PI’s is that ACHN says it has potential for qD dosing. However, inasmuch as ribavirin is BID, the practical benefits of qD dosing may be illusory until such time as an all-qD cocktail is ready for testing.

ACH-1625’s development timeline is about three months behind ACH-1095’s. The former is expected to enter phase-1 in 1Q09 while the latter is expected to enter phase-1 in 4Q08.