J&J's rilpivirine meets HIV endpoint

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) reported in its 1Q10 earnings call that rilpivirine ( TMC278) met the primary endpoint of non-inferiority to efavirenz in two Phase III trials to treat HIV. The endpoint in both the ECHO and THRIVE trials was the proportion of treatment-naive patients achieving HIV RNA levels less than 50 copies/mL at 48 weeks. J&J plans to submit a regulatory application next quarter. TMC278 is a diarylpyrimidine non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI). Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (NYSE:BMY) and Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MRK) market Sustiva efavirenz. ...