Bristol-Myers Squibb reports positive hepatitis C drug trial data

Bristol-Myers Squibb has announced positive findings from a new phase III clinical study of a promising therapy regimen for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections.

Results from the HALLMARK-Dual study have underlined the potential benefits of the company's all-oral, interferon and ribavirin-free regimen of daclatasvir and asunaprevir among genotype 1b HCV-infected patients.

The data revealed that the 24-week regimen achieved an overall sustained virologic response 12 weeks after the end of treatment both among treatment-naive patients and those who were unable to benefit from peginterferon/ribavirin therapy.

It is hoped that these findings will support the regulatory filings for the therapy that Bristol-Myers Squibb has submitted in the US and Europe.

Dr Brian Daniels, senior vice-president for global development, medical affairs and research and development at Bristol-Myers Squibb, said: "Daclatasvir has unique scientific characteristics that support ongoing research for its use in multiple all-oral HCV regimens."

Daclatasvir was granted accelerated regulatory review status by the European Medicines Agency earlier this year.