VIROPHARMA ANNOUNCES SUBMISSION OF IND APPLICATION FOR HCV-796

ViroPharma has announced that its partner in the development of antiviral compounds targeting hepatitis C (HCV), Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, a division of Wyeth has submitted an investigational new drug (IND) application to the FDA to evaluate ViroPharma's compound HCV-796, a novel polymerase inhibitor, as a potential new product to treat hepatitis C.

Under this IND, a protocol has been prepared to assess the safety and tolerability of HCV-796 in healthy adult volunteers, as well as to gather pharmacokinetic data. Preclinical studies have shown HCV-796 may be more potent than other anti-HCV compounds developed to date between the two companies.