The Phase 2a trial is intended to recruit around 84 patients who are suffering from chronic HCV genotypes 1, 2 or 3 who have not been treated previously.
The primary endpoint of the trial is sustained virologic response (SVR).
Pharmasset Clinical Pharmacology and Translational Medicine senior vice president William Symonds said recent data from Bristol-Myers Squibb’s combination study demonstrated that individuals with HCV can be cured without the traditional interferon and ribavirin, but only if two potent DAAs are used and drug resistance is avoided.
"We believe Pharmasset’s nucleotide analogs have demonstrated potent antiviral activity and a high barrier to resistance and therefore have the potential to be the future backbone of interferon-free treatment," Symonds said.