Biotech Values

[DewDiligence]

Enanta Announces EDP-239 NS5A Inhibitor for HCV

[Unlike ABT-450, on which Enanta is partnered with ABT, EDP-239 is wholly owned by Enanta, a small private company. Other companies with NS5A inhibitors for HCV include BMY, GSK, VRTX, and Presidio Pharma. (The NS5A program from AZN might no longer be active—see #msg-47300638.)]

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Enanta-Nominates-EDP239-as-prnews-2223211981.html?x=0&.v=1

›Enanta Nominates EDP-239 as Lead Development Candidate for NS5A HCV Inhibitor Program

Tuesday March 2, 2010, 9:30 am EST

WATERTOWN, Mass., March 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today the nomination of lead development candidate, EDP-239, from its NS5A hepatitis C virus (HCV) inhibitor program. EDP-239 has demonstrated picomolar potency against multiple genotypes of the virus and a preclinical pharmacokinetic profile amenable to once-a-day dosing.

"Our NS5A inhibitor program is well positioned to generate a pipeline of clinical candidates, and we are excited about further characterization of our various leads with distinct structural diversity," said Yat Sun Or, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer of Enanta Pharmaceuticals. "The NS5A program represents an important asset in our portfolio of HCV inhibitors, which additionally includes protease, polymerase, and cyclophilin inhibitors. We look forward to exploring combinations and potential synergies of EDP-239 with our broader HCV portfolio."

Enanta's NS5A program and intellectual property estate in the HCV field were derived from its internal drug discovery efforts. Enanta anticipates progressing into IND-enabling preclinical studies for EDP-239 with the goal of initiating clinical trials in 2011.

About Enanta

Enanta Pharmaceuticals is a research and development company that uses its novel chemistry approach and drug discovery capabilities to create best in class small molecule drugs in the infectious disease field. Enanta is developing novel protease, NS5A, polymerase, and cyclophilin-based inhibitors targeted against the Hepatitis C virus (HCV). Additionally, the Company has created a new class of macrolide antibiotics, called Bicyclolides, which overcomes bacterial resistance. Antibacterial focus areas include superbugs, respiratory tract infections, and intravenous and oral treatments for hospital and community MRSA. Enanta is a privately held company headquartered in Watertown, MA. Enanta's news releases and other information are available on the company's web site at www.enanta.com.‹