Novartis acquires rights for hepatitis C drug

Novartis has announced it has acquired the rights from Human Genome Sciences (HGS) for an interferon drug designed to treat hepatitis C.

Albuferon is an investigational drug soon to enter phase III trials, which has been sold to Novartis to market and promote exclusively. Novartis paid HGS $45 million (24.3 million pounds) upfront, with the possibility of further milestone payments after the drug is approved and launched.

The drug is described as having a long half-life, meaning that it takes some time for the drug molecules to break down in the body, allowing for less frequent injections and more effectiveness. Albuferon uses novel recombinant protein technology with human serum albumin, which has displayed greater effectiveness and safety over current pegylated interferons – another treatment for hepatitis C.

According to Novartis, the drug fulfils a “major unmet medical need” for effective and tolerable interferon drugs.

Thomas Ebeling, Novartis Pharma’s chief executive, commented: “Albuferon will serve as a best-in-class basis for combinations with other compounds in our hepatitis C portfolio and hopefully shape future treatment developments.”

“This is an important step forward in our mission to bring more effective and safer drugs to patients suffering from hepatitis C,” he added.

Novartis may have several competitors for Albuferon, if and when the drug is marketed. Last week Roche announced phase I trial results for an antiviral that proved “very effective” in reducing the viral load levels in hepatitis C patients. Schering-Plough has also shown interest in the hepatitis C field – last month it announced trials using peginterferon alfa-2b. Valeant has also said it is researching hepatitis C drugs.

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