Idenix Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (IDIX) yesterday after market close announced results from an ongoing phase IIb study of IDX184 in combination with pegylated interferon and ribavirin (PegIFN/RBV).
Someone may be arguing about IDX184 efficacy judging by the number of trial patients that responded well to the initial treatment with a combination of IDX184, pegylated interferon, and ribavirin. From the 31 patients in trial only 18 had undetectable virus levels four weeks and 12 weeks after treatment. Nine of those patients were given 12 additional weeks of pegylated interferon and ribavirin, which is the interim data has been released. The other nine were given the combo for an additional 36 weeks… Leave those discussions to the bio experts but better look at a few key points below:
1. Idenix Pharma is the last (besides the Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. NASDAQ:ACHN, but this is another topic) small bio-tech company in the hepatitis C drug market. This market is expected to grow to $15 billion by 2019 and pharma giants like Merck’s (NYSE: MRK), Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY), Abbott Labs (NYSE: ABT) and others are looking to get in on the ground floor of this market. Idenix may go alone with IDX184 and its NS5A inhibitor or … one of the big “ones” may be interested to pick up IDX184 or the Idenix itself. ‘Nuff said
2. Institutional holdings:
3. Shares short:
IDIX share price is going up -that’s all, folks. Happy trading!
U.S. Corporate Headquarters
Idenix Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
60 Hampshire Street
Cambridge, MA 02139
Tel: (617) 995-9800
Fax: (617) 995-9801
Idenix Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 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.