HCV stocks up after EASL data

Several stocks rose Thursday after companies presented interim Phase II data on compounds to treat HCV at the European Association for the Study of the Liver meeting in Vienna. Pharmasset Inc. (NASDAQ:VRUS) rose $2.34 to $31.20 after reporting four-week rapid viral response data for PSI-7977, a nucleotide analog, added to standard of care (SOC). In the 100 mg, 200 mg, and 400 mg dose groups, HCV virus was undetectable in 80%, 100%, and 91% of patients, respectively, compared to 25% for SOC plus placebo. Idenix Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:IDIX) rose $0.33 to $4.41 after reporting that half of patients receiving 100 mg IDX184, a nucleotide prodrug of 2'-methyl guanosine monophosphate, plus SOC had undetectable virus after 14 days. ...