Interferon-Free Combo Squashes the Hepatitis C Virus

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Interferon-Free Combo Squashes the Hepatitis C Virus

New data about a combination of Pharmasset's developmental drugs claim a 94 percent success rate for Hepatitis C in just two weeks. Not only were these drugs highly effective in a short period of time, but they also did so without interferon.

Analysts jolted by Pharmasset's stellar data on combo hep C treatment

March 9, 2011 -- By Carroll

n one of the worst kept secrets of the year, new data shows that Pharmasset's combo oral approach to hepatitis C triggered the complete elimination of the virus in 15 of 16 patients after only 14 days of treatment. And the startling results, which were supposed to be kept under wraps in a blanket embargo lowered by the European Association for the Study of the Liver, spurred a quick spike in Pharmasset shares as word of the outcome spread swiftly among investors.

As Adam Feuerstein at TheStreet notes, this is the best such early-stage data released on an oral drug for hepatitis C. And the PSI-938 and PSI-7977 one-two punch eliminates the need for interferon, which is linked to a number of side effects among patients.

Continue reading this entire article:http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/analysts-jolted-pharmassets-stellar-data-combo-hep-c-treatment/2011-03-09

http://www.hepatitis-central.com/mt/archives/2011/03/interferon-free_1.html