Anadys Initiates Phase I Study of Hepatitis Drug

[Guest guest]

Anadys Initiates Phase I Study of Hepatitis Drug

Posted on: Tuesday, 3 June 2008, 09:01 CDT

Anadys Pharmaceuticals has started dosing in a Phase I clinical trial

of ANA598, an investigational oral non-nucleoside polymerase

inhibitor for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

The objectives of this trial are to assess safety, tolerability, and

pharmacokinetics following ascending single oral doses of ANA598 in

healthy volunteers. Approximately 40 healthy subjects will

participate in the study, which is being conducted in the US.

Following successful completion of the healthy volunteer study,

Anadys plans to begin a Phase Ib study of ANA598 in hepatitis C virus

(HCV)-infected patients in the third quarter of 2008.

ANA598 is a highly potent and selective inhibitor of HCV genotypes 1a

and 1b NS5b RNA polymerases and of HCV replication in cell culture.

Freddo, chief medical officer of Anadys, said: " We are excited

about initiating this clinical program and look forward to future

trials of ANA598 in HCV patients, first as a single agent and then in

subsequent combination studies. We expect the full benefit of direct

antivirals to be demonstrated when studied as components of novel

combination regimens incorporating multiple anti-HCV agents. "