The two companies have revealed that, while the analysis of data from their phase Ib study of HCV-796 plus pegylated interferon is still ongoing, data analyzed to date indicate that the drug candidate has achieved a proof of concept milestone under the companies’ agreements.
ViroPharma and Wyeth expect that preliminary data from the phase Ib study will be available for release by the end of August 2006. Based upon the preliminary data reviewed to date, the two firms are preparing to initiate phase II combination studies of HCV-796. They expect to begin dosing patients in the phase II study in the fourth quarter of 2006.
In connection with meeting the proof of concept milestone, ViroPharma will issue to Wyeth 981,836 shares of ViroPharma’s common stock for a purchase price of $10 million, representing the last of three stock purchases outlined in the companies’ agreements.
“With HCV-796, we now have for the first time in our collaboration a unique compound with a novel mechanism of action that has achieved proof of concept in combination with pegylated interferon,” commented Dr Robert Ruffolo, Wyeth Pharmaceutical’s president of research. “We are excited to reach this milestone and to be collaborating with ViroPharma to move this promising compound toward phase II trials.”