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news.Vertex Pharmaceuticals is to concentrate its development investment in 2006 on phase II clinical development of its drug candidates VX-950 for hepatitis C virus infection and VX-702 for rheumatoid arthritis.
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In addition, the company expects to bring forward into clinical development in 2006 an investigational drug candidate for cystic fibrosis. Vertex’s updated focus on accelerating the clinical development of these three proprietary product candidates is based on an analysis of commercial opportunity and available clinical data across the company’s entire portfolio of programs.
The company expects to minimize its own future development investment in both merimepodib (MMPD), an oral compound designed to enhance the antiviral efficacy of interferon-based combination therapy for HCV, and VX-765, an interleukin-1 beta converting enzyme (ICE) inhibitor for the treatment of psoriasis. In addition to three areas where Vertex will focus its development investment, Vertex will continue to collaborate with other companies to develop small molecule drugs for cancer and HIV.
“Focusing our development portfolio in 2006 on VX-950 and VX-702 supports our commitment to the rapid clinical advancement of these compounds, which have the potential to be exciting new treatment options for HCV and inflammation,” said Joshua Boger, Ph.D, Chairman, President and CEO of Vertex Pharmaceuticals.