FDA gives Inhibitex treatment 'fast track' status

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http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9LAJ5281.htm

The Associated Press

February 11, 2011

FDA gives Inhibitex treatment 'fast track' status

By The Associated Press

Biopharmaceutical company Inhibitex Inc. said Friday the Food and Drug

Administration has designated its potential chronic hepatitis C treatment as a

Fast Track development program.

The designation could help development and accelerate the review of new drugs

intended to treat serious or life-threatening conditions and that demonstrate

the potential to address unmet medical needs.

The Alpharetta, Ga., company said the potential treatment, labeled INX-08189, is

in an early-stage trial expected to be completed by the end of the first

quarter. Inhibitex said characteristics of the drug that led to its Fast Track

designation include a high genetic barrier to resistance and once-daily oral

dosing.

Hepatitis C is a liver disease, and chronic cases of it are the leadng cause of

liver transplants in the United States, according to Inhibitex.