Combined with interferon and ribavirin, clinical trials on Vertex’s telaprevir demonstrate twice the success rate in clearing Hepatitis C in half the time as traditional combination therapy. While this alone is exciting, Vertex is exploring a range of drug combination options for battling the Hepatitis C virus.<\/p>\n
Vertex Maps Out Combo Drug Game Plan for Treating Hepatitis C<\/p>\n
Luke Timmerman 3\/8\/10 <\/p>\n
HIV has taught the pharmaceutical industry that the best way to fight an infectious virus that resists a single drug is to make a cocktail that attacks the virus in more than one way. Vertex Pharmaceuticals and its competitors are now following a similar formula with new therapies for hepatitis C.<\/p>\n
Vertex, the Cambridge, MA-based company with operations in San Diego, offered a glimpse last week into its strategy for a two-drug combo that could significantly change hepatitis C treatment. If the company has mapped this out correctly, it could rid people of the virus while letting them ditch the detested standard therapies that force them to endure months of flu-like symptoms.<\/p>\n