Drug Hope For Hepatitis C

Daniel Lamarre and colleagues designed the molecule and organized the first proof-of-principle study with human patients. The drug, known as BILN 2061, blocks an enzyme that is needed by the virus for replication. Eight people infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) took four doses of the drug over 48 hours. Two days later virus levels had dropped by 100- to 1,000-fold. No side effects were reported. Longer trials are needed to assess how the antiviral activity holds up over time and whether drug resistance will become an issue.

Across the globe an estimated 170 million people are chronically infected with HCV. The disease causes chronic liver disease and can be fatal. Current therapies are often ineffective and may cause unpleasant side effects.

Author contact:

Paul Anderson
Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd
Laval, Quebec, Canada
Tel: +1 450 682 4640
E-mail: panderson@lav.boehringer-ingelheim.com

or

Sheila A. Burke
Public Relations & Communications
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Ridgefield, CT, USA
Tel: +1 203 798 4715
E-mail: sburke@rdg.boehringer-ingelheim.com

(C) Nature Press Release.

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