Janssen introduces new hepatitis C treatment Incivo in UK

Janssen has announced the UK launch of Incivo (telaprevir), its clinically proven new therapy option for genotype-1 chronic hepatitis C.

The new drug is designed for use in combination with peginterferon alfa and ribavirin and is one of a new class of medicines that directly targets the hepatitis C virus, thus offering a greater chance of sustained virologic response.

Phase III studies have shown that Incivo is more effective than standard treatment for all genotype-1 patient types, including those with advanced liver disease such as cirrhosis.

Currently, it is estimated that between 216,000 to 466,000 individuals are infected with chronic hepatitis C in the UK, of which only 80,000 cases have been diagnosed.

Professor Graham Foster of Queen Mary's University Hospital of London said: "Treatment with a telaprevir-based regimen could provide a shorter treatment duration with improved response rates compared to standard treatment."

The UK launch follows the approval of the drug of by the European Commission last month.