Biotech Values

[jellybean]

I have to smile every time Yoda or anyone writes about DAAs dominating the HCV market and removing IFN from the equation. We have now seen 3 or 4 different DAA combinations fail in trials. Think about the biology behind the disease, including the number of viral particles, the nature of the virus's replication machinery, the amount of drug needed for a complete response, the potential of off-target events with small molecules and the need to drive an immune response in order to maintain a sustained response. Is it surprising that researchers are having a hard time finding a DAA combination that will provide a sustained response with an acceptable side effect profile?