Vertex and Tibotec reveal telaprevir results

Vertex Pharmaceuticals and Tibotec, an affiliate of Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, have revealed positive phase III results for telaprevir to treat chronic genotype 1 hepatitis C.

Data showed that treatment with telaprevir, when combined with pegylated-interferon and ribavirin – the current standard of care treatment for hepatitis C – significantly improves cure rates for both previously untreated patients and patients whose prior treatment has failed, including those who showed no response to previous therapy.

In the REALIZE study, 83 per cent of patients whose prior treatment had failed, and classified as a relapser, achieved a cure when they took telaprevir on top of the standard treatment.

In the ADVANCE study, 75 per cent of previously untreated patients achieved a cure when they took telaprevir on top of the standard treatment.

The current standard of care treatment for hepatitis C is successful in only about 50 per cent of patients with genotype 1, leaving the other 50 per cent without a successful treatment outcome.

Graham Foster, professor of Hepatology, Queen Mary's, University of London, said: "Up until now genotype 1 hepatitis C patients have been very common and difficult to treat. The advent of a new standard of care with protease inhibitors provides fresh hope of a cure for people living with hepatitis C and significant advancements in treatment such as this will make a real difference in reducing the burden of hepatitis C."