Merck Sharpe and Dohme reports positive Victrelis data

Merck Sharpe and Dohme will be presenting interim data from a new clinical trial of Victrelis, its innovative therapy for hepatitis C.

Analysis of results from the ongoing Provide study will be showcased at the forthcoming American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases annual meeting, showing the encouraging performance of the drug among previously untreatable patients.

The Provide study involves the use of Victrelis in combination with peginterferon alfa and ribavirin among patients who have shown a null response to therapy using the latter two compounds alone.

Dr John Vierling, professor of medicine and surgery at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, said: "Approximately one-third of the patients … were able to achieve a sustained virologic response when retreated with Victrelis in combination therapy."

The company will also be presenting early data from a study of another hepatitis drug, MK-5172, at the conference.

Last month, Merck Sharpe and Dohme published safety and efficacy data for its human papillomavirus therapy Gardasil, showing the potential benefits it can offer to male patients.