The company said that ANA598 demonstrates significant antiviral activity in vivo.
Two animals chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1b each received once-daily oral doses of ANA598 at 30mg/kg for four days. A rapid viral load decline was seen in both animals. At 48 hours (24 hours after the second dose), viral load declines were 2.2 and 2.6 log10 in the individual animals.
In one animal the viral load reduction was sustained throughout the remaining dosing period, while in the second animal a modest rise in viral load was seen over days 3 and 4, although the rise observed (0.6 log10) was within the baseline variability seen in this animal prior to dosing.
Steve Worland, president and CEO of Anadys, said: “These positive animal efficacy data reinforce our continued enthusiasm for development of ANA598 as a potential new direct antiviral treatment for chronic HCV. The rapid viral load decline and the favorable pharmacokinetics, safety and tolerability profile demonstrated in these animal efficacy studies further support continued development of ANA598 as a candidate for use in combination with other agents for the treatment of chronic HCV infection.”