rib isn't expected to add much to early viral load declines, so i don't think you can say there is a negative drug ineraction or even lack of synergy ...
Ok, apparently I have more homework to do on early vs long term effects of rib/ifn combo vs ifn alone?
Question: what do they do next? Try another cohort at 1.5 (the arms are so small there is a 10-20% (WAG) chance that the excess SAEs were a fluke)? Try an intermediate dose (e.g. 1.10)? Try 3.0 combo? (I'd be surprises if they did the latter without duplicating the 1.5).