ARROW THERAPEUTICS GIVES UPDATE ON HEPATITIS C DRUG CANDIDATE

Arrow Therapeutics has reported that its lead hepatitis C compound has entered full preclinical development.

The compound, A-831, has shown potent activity in the replicon assay and has an excellent therapeutic index and good pharmacokinetic properties, as well as displaying a novel mechanism of action targeting the NS5a protein. Phase I trials on the compound are planned for the second half of 2006, by which time a further compound from the company's second hepatitis C program (also targeting the NS5a protein) is expected to enter preclinical development.