UPDATE 1-Human Genome hepatitis C drug meets main trial goal

Dec 8 (Reuters) - Biotechnology company Human Genome Sciences Inc (HGSI.O) said its experimental treatment for chronic hepatitis C met the main goal of a late-stage trial, sending its shares soaring 30 percent in pre-market trade.

The main goal of the trial, named ACHIEVE 2/3, was to show that the drug, Albuferon, was as effective as the current standard-of-care Pegasys, made by the Swiss drugmaker Roche (ROG.VX).

Albuferon was being tested in treatment-naive patients with chronic hepatitis C, in combination with the antiviral ribavirin. Roche's Pegasys is also is used in combination with ribavirin. Human Genome, which is also testing Albuferon in another trial named ACHIEVE 1, expects to file global marketing applications by fall 2009, given the success of ACHIEVE 1. The ACHIEVE 2/3 was testing the drug in patients with genotypes 2 and 3 chronic hepatitis C, while ACHIEVE 1 is evaluating the drug in patients with genotype 1 hepatitis C.

The company, which is developing the drug in partnership with Swiss drugmaker Novartis AG (NOVN.VX), said it expects results of ACHIEVE 1 in March 2009. Shares of Human Genome were up 51 cents in trading before the bell from its Friday's close of $1.72 on Nasdaq. (Reporting by Esha Dey in Bangalore; Editing by Jarshad Kakkrakandy)