Janssen reports positive data from hepatitis C drug trial

Janssen Pharmaceutica has published new data from a phase III study for Incivo (telaprevir), its new treatment for cirrhotic patients with genotype-1 chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV).

Data presented at the American Association for the Society of Liver Disease annual meeting has demonstrated the safety and efficacy of a telaprevir-based regimen among patients who have previously failed to respond to treatment.

The drug was administered alongside peginterferon alfa and ribavirin and delivered cure rates that were significantly higher than those treated with the latter two therapies alone.

Phase III data from previous studies has already helped to earn Incivo European regulatory approval as an HCV therapy in September 2011.

The drug was introduced in the UK last month and is designed to offer a shorter treatment duration than alternative therapies.

Professor Stanislas Pol, the lead study investigator, said: "This year has seen significant advances in the treatment of HCV with the availability of direct-acting antivirals, including telaprevir."