ACH-126,443, a New Compound for Treatment of Chron

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Data Presented on ACH-126,443, a New Compound for Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B and HIV



At the 41st ICAAC, Achillion Pharmaceuticals summarized the results of its Phase 1 study of ACH-126,443 (beta-L-Fd4C), an L-nucleoside analog with potent in vitro activity against both chronic hepatitis B (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).



In the trial, six dose levels of ACH-126,443 were evaluated in healthy volunteers. Pharmacokinetic data, also known as drug blood level data, collected from the study demonstrated ideal absorption of the compound into the bloodstream, and the ability of the drug candidate to be dosed once daily.



"The blood concentrations achieved in this single dose administration of ACH-126,443 exceeded the quantities required in pre-clinical studies to suppress wild-type and 3TC-resistant HBV infection, two of the most common forms of hepatitis B virus," said William G. Rice, Achillion's CEO. "We are currently evaluating the compound in a Phase 1b/2 study in patients with chronic HBV infection, and we are aggressively advancing this drug candidate into additional clinical studies."



"The pharmacokinetic data on ACH-126,443 obtained from this study show that it can be given once daily, and the data provide key information to help identify the efficacious dose in later phase 2 studies," commented Lisa Dunkle, MD, Achillion's Senior Vice President of Drug Development. "Our on-going study in HBV infected patients will provide us with additional data to determine optimal dosing to support additional clinical trials in patients infected with HIV as well as HBV."



12/21/01