PropThink: Lightweight Contender ACHN Declines on Gilead's Latest Hepatitis Data

2012-11-12 19:30:04 -

By Jake King



With Gilead's (NASDAQ:GILD) reported 100% Hepatitis C virologic response rate

over the weekend, rivals Achillion (NASDAQ:ACHN) and Vertex (NASDAQ:VRTX) traded

down 15% and 5% respectively at Monday's open. Vertex shareholders rightfully

have cause for alarm, as Incivek's blockbuster status may shortly be replaced by

more effective oral treatments. But Achillion's pipeline regimen isn't so far

behind Gilead's as to make it obsolete, despite the market's reaction. While

both Gilead and Abbot (NYSE:ABT) have a leg up in the development process,

Achillion's protease inhibitors suggest a strong safety and efficacy profile

without the risk associated with the now-infamous "nucs" that have plagued BMS

(NYSE:BMY) and Idenix (NASDAQ:IDIX).



Achillion also announced on Monday that a drug-drug interaction study evaluating

the combination of sovaprevir (ACH-1625, lead candidate) and ACH-3102 returned

no problems, and the company plans to push forward with a Phase 2 trial

evaluating the protease inhibitor and the NS5A inhibitor together. The study

will be highly indicative of the combination's effectiveness, especially as

investors focus on Gilead's 100% cure rate and Abbot's 97% cure rate. The

company expects those results in the first half of 2013. Continue reading by

clicking here.



Read this article at PropThink.com.



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