NEW HAVEN, Conn., June 4, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:ACHN) today announced the nomination of its first clinical candidate from the company's proprietary HCV protease program. The candidate, ACH-1625, is a highly selective inhibitor of HCV NS3 protease.
In preclinical studies, Achillion has demonstrated that ACH-1625 has an excellent safety profile and a pharmacokinetic profile characterized by rapid and extensive partitioning to the liver. ACH-1625 has also exhibited superior potency against NS3 protease in HCV replicon assays compared to protease inhibitors in more advanced stages of development. Preclinical data supporting the selection of ACH-1625 for clinical development will be presented at a future scientific meeting.
"The inherent nature of HCV to mutate rapidly necessitates a therapeutic approach that utilizes a combination of drugs with complementary mechanisms of action in order to suppress viral resistance," said Milind S. Deshpande, Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer of Achillion. "Our HCV protease inhibitor program has focused on the discovery of potent and safe, orally bioavailable therapeutics with potential for once a day dosing. Inhibition of NS3 protease is complementary to NS4A antagonism, on which we are collaborating with Gilead Sciences. We have leveraged our robust drug discovery capabilities to create a portfolio of inhibitors of NS3 protease to which we retain all commercial rights."
Michael D. Kishbauch, Achillion's President and CEO, stated, "We are very encouraged by the excellent safety, potency and PK profile exhibited by ACH-1625 to-date, and we expect to initiate a Phase 1 study in the first half of 2009. We are quite excited by the potential to have two HCV candidates operating by distinct mechanisms in the clinic next year."
About Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a viral liver disease, caused by infection with the hepatitis C virus. Globally, it is estimated that more than 170 million people have chronic hepatitis C, including about three million in the United States. Chronic hepatitis C is a leading cause of cirrhosis, a common cause of hepatocellular carcinoma, and is the leading cause of liver transplantation in the United States.
About Achillion
Achillion is an innovative pharmaceutical company dedicated to bringing important new treatments to patients with infectious disease. The company's proven discovery and development teams have advanced multiple product candidates with novel mechanisms of action. Achillion is focused on solutions for the most challenging problems in infectious disease -- HIV, hepatitis and resistant bacterial infections. For more information on Achillion Pharmaceuticals, please visit the company's web site at www.achillion.com or call Achillion at 1-203-624-7000.
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This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, including statements with respect to the timing, completion and success of Achillion's preclinical studies and clinical trials of Achillion's drug candidates. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements are: unexpected regulatory actions or delays; uncertainties relating to results of clinical trials, including additional data relating to ongoing clinical trials; Achillion's ability to obtain additional funding required to conduct its research, development and commercialization activities and Achillion's dependence on its collaboration with Gilead Sciences. These and other risks are described in the reports filed by Achillion with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2008.
All forward-looking statements reflect Achillion's expectations only as of the date of this release and should not be relied upon as reflecting Achillion's views, expectations or beliefs at any date subsequent to the date of this release. Achillion anticipates that subsequent events and developments may cause these views, expectations and beliefs to change. However, while Achillion may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, it specifically disclaims any obligation to do so.