Abstract unveils SVR data for Roche interferon-free regimen

A 24-week, interferon-free HCV regimen containing two Roche (SIX:ROG; OTCQX:RHHBY) compounds led to a sustained virologic response (SVR) eight weeks after the end of treatment in 26 (41%) of 63 evaluable patients in one arm of a Phase IIb trial, according to an abstract released Wednesday. The patients received Roche's mericitabine and danoprevir, boosted by ritonavir, along with ribavirin.

The trial included three other arms: the same regimen for 12 weeks, and the same regimen excluding ritonavir for 12 or 24 weeks. The abstract noted that due to "unacceptable relapse rates," randomization in the trial's two 12-week treatment arms was stopped prematurely, while patients assigned to 24 weeks of treatment with mericitabine and danoprevir, boosted by ritonavir, plus placebo were offered follow-on peginterferon alfa-2a/ribavirin therapy. The data is scheduled to be presented on April 19 at the European Association for the Study of the Liver meeting in Barcelona. The double-blind, international INFORM-SVR trial enrolled 169 treatment-naive patients. ...