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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