AbbVie reports positive hepatitis C trial data

AbbVie has presented encouraging phase III trial data for its investigational three direct-acting-antiviral (3D) regimen for the treatment of hepatitis C.

The 394-patient Sapphire-II study assessed the 3D regimen plus ribavirin in patients with chronic genotype 1 hepatitis C virus infections. It was found that 96 percent of patients who previously failed pegylated interferon and ribavirin treatment achieved sustained virologic response at 12 weeks with the new therapy.

This confirms the positive findings seen in earlier phase II studies and underlined the consistent virologic response and tolerability profile this treatment is able to provide.

Sapphire-II is the second of six phase III trials studying the investigational 3D regimen. Data from these studies will support regulatory submissions starting in the second quarter of 2014.

Dr Scott Brun, vice-president for pharmaceutical development at AbbVie, said: "We look forward to the results of studies looking at AbbVie's 3D regimen with and without ribavirin in different patients, as well as data from our dedicated study in patients with cirrhosis."

During the third quarter of 2013, AbbVie experienced year-on-year sales growth of 3.3 percent, underlining the success the business has enjoyed since splitting from former parent company Abbott at the start of the year.