Idenix Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: IDIX) is engaged in the discovery and development of drugs for the treatment of human viral and other infectious diseases. Building on its expertise in nucleoside chemistry and other small molecule chemistry and biology, the company is well positioned to become a leader in antiviral pharmaceuticals. Idenix’s current focus is on the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. The company has previously discovered and developed antivirals for the treatment of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HIV/AIDS.
IDIX today announced a non-exclusive collaboration with Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for the clinical development of all-oral direct-acting antiviral (DAA) HCV combination therapies.
The collaboration will evaluate combinations including IDX719, Idenix’s once-daily pan-genotypic NS5A inhibitor, simeprevir (TMC435), a once-daily protease inhibitor jointly developed by Janssen and Medivir AB, and TMC647055, a once-daily non-nucleoside polymerase inhibitor, boosted with low dose ritonavir, being developed by Janssen.
Ron Renaud, Idenix’s President and Chief Executive Officer, commented:
We are very pleased to be working with Janssen and look forward to initiating a phase II study in the first quarter of this year. This will allow us to achieve a key goal of ours for 2013, which is to advance the development of IDX719 as part of all-oral HCV combinations in two- and three-drug regimens.