In preclinical studies, Achillion has demonstrated that ACH-1625 has an excellent safety profile and a pharmacokinetic profile characterized by rapid and extensive partitioning to the liver. ACH-1625 has also exhibited superior potency against NS3 protease in hepatitis C virus (HCV) replicon assays compared to protease inhibitors in more advanced stages of development.
Michael Kishbauch, president and CEO of Achillion, said: “We are very encouraged by the excellent safety, potency and PK profile exhibited by ACH-1625 to-date, and we expect to initiate a phase I study in the first half of 2009. We are quite excited by the potential to have two HCV candidates operating by distinct mechanisms in the clinic next year.”