Medivir shares slump after simeprevir briefing documents

Medivir AB (SSE:MVIR B) fell SEK11 (10%) to SEK99.25 on Tuesday after FDA reviewers said simeprevir is generally safe and effective for HCV genotype 1, but that "alternative treatment options should be considered" for genotype 1a patients with the Q80K polymorphism variant. The agency said simeprevir plus interferon and ribavirin showed similar response rates to interferon and ribavirin in that subpopulation.

According to Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), genotype 1a patients represent about 60-70% of HCV genotype 1 patients in North America. J&J's Janssen Research & Development LLC unit has ex-Nordic rights to develop and commercialize simeprevir from Medivir. ...