RESULTS OF VIRAMIDINE STUDY REPORTED

The novel prodrug viramidine could result in lower incidence of anemia than ribavirin with comparable efficacy in patients with hepatitis C (HCV), when used in interferon-combination regimens, according to a Phase II study.

The open-label study of 180 treatment-naïve HCV patients randomized participants equally to receive viramidine in doses of 400, 600 or 800 mg twice daily with pegylated interferon or ribavirin with interferon 1000-1200 mg twice daily for 12 weeks.

Overall hemoglobin levels were comparable among all four groups, ranging from 15.2 g/dL to 15.6 g/dL. Patients with decompensated liver disease, or with hepatitis B HIV-positive status, were excluded from the study.