Phase 2 Study of VX-222 in Combination with Telaprevir, Pegylated-Interferon and Ribavirin for Hepatitis C

Vertex Pharmaceuticals announced interim results from its ongoing Phase 2 ZENITH study evaluating various regimens of VX-222 in combination with telaprevir, pegylated-interferon and ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1. Using an intent-to-treat analysis, 57% (17/30) and 38% (11/29) of people treated with VX-222 400mg and 100mg, respectively, in combination with telaprevir, pegylated-interferon and ribavirin had undetectable HCV by Week 2. Patients were required to have undetectable HCV at Weeks 2 and 8 to be eligible to stop all treatment at 12 weeks. Using the eligibility criteria for a 12-week total treatment duration, 50% (15/30) of the patients in the VX-222 400mg group and 38% (11/29) in the VX-222 100mg group were eligible to stop all treatment at 12 weeks. Ninety percent (27/30) of patients in the VX-222 400mg group and 83% (24/29) in the VX-222 100mg group had undetectable HCV by Week 12. No viral breakthrough was observed through Week 12 among patients receiving the four-drug combinations.

VX-222 is an oral, non-nucleoside inhibitor of HCV NS5B polymerase, an enzyme essential for viral replication.

For more information call (877) 634-VRTX or visit www.vrtx.com.