Medivir makes strategic decision to focus proprietary hepatitis C R&D efforts exclusively on nucleotide-based polymerase inhibitors
Stockholm, Sweden — Medivir AB (OMX: MVIR) today announced that it will focus its proprietary hepatitis C (HCV) research and development efforts exclusively on nucleotide-based polymerase inhibitors.
Medivir had been working on the discovery and development of new HCV nucleotide-based inhibitors and NS5A inhibitors (NS5A replication complex inhibitor) to enable additional potential interferon-free combinations. However, based on an evaluation of the competitive landscape and the expected evolution of therapies for HCV infection, Medivir has decided to focus exclusively on nucleotide-based polymerase inhibitors and to discontinue its NS5A inhibitor program.
“We remain very excited about our HCV nucleotide-based inhibitor program and the opportunity to develop a compound that could play an important role in interferon-free treatment”, said Richard Bethell, EVP Discovery Research, Medivir AB. “Given the attractive attributes of the nucleotide polymerase class and the scarcity of safe and effective inhibitors, today’s decision to discontinue our NS5A program will enable us to focus our resources on our nucleotide-based polymerase program, which is best placed to deliver an effective new medication for physicians and their patients.”
For more information please contact:
Rein Piir, EVP Corporate Affairs & IR
Mobile: +46 708 537 292
About Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C, a blood-borne infectious disease of the liver and a leading cause of chronic liver disease and liver transplants, is a rapidly evolving treatment area with a clear need for innovative treatments. Approximately 150 million people are infected with hepatitis C worldwide, and about 350,000 people per year die from the disease.
About Medivir
Medivir is an emerging research-based pharmaceutical company focused on infectious diseases. Medivir has world class expertise in polymerase and protease drug targets and drug development which has resulted in a strong infectious disease R&D portfolio. The Company’s key pipeline asset is simeprevir, a novel protease inhibitor in late phase III clinical development for hepatitis C that is being developed in collaboration with Janssen R&D Ireland. Medivir has also a broad product portfolio with prescription pharmaceuticals in the Nordics.
For more information about Medivir AB, please visit the Company’s website: www.medivir.com
Medivir is a collaborative and agile pharmaceutical company with an R&D focus on infectious diseases and a leading position in hepatitis C. We are passionate and uncompromising in our mission to develop and commercialize innovative pharmaceuticals that improve people’s health and quality of life.
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