GlobeImmune, Gilead Hep B drug fails in mid-stage study (updated)

GlobeImmune

27/05/2015 12:31

(Adds details) 
    May 27 (Reuters) - GlobeImmune Inc  GBIM.O  said its 
experimental hepatitis B drug did not meet the main goal of 
reducing infection in patients after 24 weeks, in a mid-stage 
trial.  
    However, the drug reduced HBsAg, an antigen that indicates 
the strength of hepatitis B infection, after 48 weeks, the 
company said on Wednesday.  ID:nMKW2SH1ra  
    GlobeImmune is developing the drug, GS-4774, with Gilead 
Sciences Inc  GILD.O .  
    The drug was tested in 178 patients who were already on oral 
antiviral treatment. 
    Hepatitis B is the most common liver infection affecting 
about 400 million people worldwide. 
    Left untreated, the infection can cause diseases such as 
liver scarring and cancer. 
    As drugs to treat hepatitis C flood the market, drugmakers 
are shifting focus to other liver diseases, including hepatitis 
B and fatty liver disease.  ID:nL1N0SX39H  
    Companies developing hepatitis B drugs include Arrowhead 
Research Corp  ARWR.O , Canada's Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corp   
 TKM.F   TKMR.O  and Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc  ISIS.O . 
    GlobeImmune's shares closed at $8.24 on Tuesday on the 
Nasdaq. 
 
 (Reporting by Amrutha Penumudi in Bengaluru; Editing by Kirti 
Pandey) 
 ((penumudi.amrutha@thomsonreuters.com; within U.S. +1 646 223 
8780 outside U.S. +91 80 6749 4486; Reuters Messaging: 
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Keywords: GLOBEIMMUNE STUDY/HEPATITIS