Vertex pulmonary news
Vertex said it does not intend to further develop VX-983, a small molecule cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) corrector that was in Phase I testing for CF in healthy volunteers. Vertex said it is prioritizing another CFTR corrector, VX-661, based on the "emerging profiles" of the compounds but declined to disclose details. VX-661 is in a Phase II trial with Vertex's Kalydeco ivacaftor ( VX-770) in patients with one copy of the G551D CFTR mutation and one copy of the delta F508 CFTR mutation. Data are expected in 1Q14. The biotech is also planning to start in 1Q14 a Phase IIb trial of VX-661 and Kalydeco in patients with two copies of the delta F508 CFTR mutation.
Earlier this year, Vertex said VX-661 is from the same chemical class as lead CFTR corrector, VX-809, and acts at the same step in the CFTR correction pathway. Vertex said that despite the success of VX-809, VX-661 and VX-983 offer a potential advantage as they do not exhibit drug-drug interactions with Kalydeco (see BioCentury, April 22). ...