• Most Popular
  • Most Shared

Intermune says lower doses of hepatitis C drug shows promise

Mon Jan 7, 2008 11:33am EST

Stocks

   

Jan 7 (Reuters) - InterMune Inc (ITMN.O) on Monday said lower dosages of its experimental hepatitis C drug show a favorable safety and performance profile in an early stage trial, sending shares up more than 18 percent.

The biotech company, which is developing the drug with Switzerland's Roche Holding (ROG.VX), is studying the effect of multiple doses of HCV protease inhibitor compound, ITMN-191.

The first two dosage cohorts with total daily doses of up to 300mg achieved the goals of viral kinetic performance, safety and tolerability, and based on the results the company said it would continue dose escalation to further evaluate the drug.

Intermune also said it plans to submit an application with European authorities to begin a 14-day, triple combination study of ITMN-191 with anti-viral pill ribavirin and Roche's Pegasys in the second quarter.

Shares were up $2.45 at $15.83 in morning trade on the Nasdaq, making them the third biggest percentage gainer for the day.

(Reporting by Jennifer Robin Raj in Bangalore; Editing by Amitha Rajan)

((aruna.jennifer@reuters.com; within U.S. +1 646 223 8780; outside U.S. +91 80 4135 5800; Reuters Messaging:aruna.jennifer.reuters.com@reuters.net)) Keywords: INTERMUNE/TRIAL

(C) Reuters 2008. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution ofReuters content, including by caching, framing or similar means, is expresslyprohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters and the Reuterssphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group ofcompanies around the world.nBNG124081


More from Reuters

Photo

No sign Detroit flight incident in larger plot: U.S.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - There is no initial evidence that the Nigerian man charged with trying to blow up a U.S. passenger jet was involved in a larger plot, a senior U.S. official said on Sunday. | Video

» More Top News
The Dalai Lama jokes with a nasal spray after being asked his opinion on the swine flu during a press conference after his first lecture in Lausanne, Switzerland, August 4, 2009. REUTERS/ Valentin Flauraud

What a wacky year it's been...

Um, what's up the Dalai Lama's nose? "Oddly Enough" editor Bob Basler rounds up the goofiest photos of the year.  Full Article 

Oddly Enough
A caution sign is seen next to a stock board at the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) in Sydney September 5, 2008. REUTERS/Daniel Munoz
Political Risk in 2010:

Don't say we didn't warn you

With the financial crisis (mostly) in the past, U.S. investors are eying a fresh start to the coming year. Here's a look at what speedbumps lie ahead.  Full Article 

Global Markets