METABASIS REPORTS HEPATITIS B DRUG TRIAL RESULTS

Metabasis Therapeutics has reported results of a Phase IIb trial with the hepatitis B drug pradefovir.

In a recent Phase IIb clinical trial, pradefovir demonstrated robust efficacy and was safe and well-tolerated. In fact, in 71 percent of patients treated with the dose of pradefovir that is expected to be used in a Phase III trial, viral DNA levels, a measure of viral load, were reduced to undetectable levels, approximately double what was seen with a maximal dose of the marketed hepatic B drug Hepsera.