Presidio Selects PPI-461 As Clinical Candidate HCV Program

Presidio has selected one of the lead compounds in their hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5A program to advance toward clinical development.

The selected Presidio NS5A inhibitor, PPI-461, exhibits potent and selective activity against all HCV genotypes and showed good oral bioavailability and was well tolerated in animal studies, with elevated liver concentrations relative to serum levels, and potential for once daily dosing in humans, said the company.

Resistance studies to date suggest that the compound will likely have a high resistance barrier requiring multiple substitutions within the NS5A gene.

IND-enabling studies for PPI-461 are currently underway and the company expects to commence clinical studies in 2010. Additional preclinical research continues on other distinct classes of compounds in the company’s NS5A program.