Biotron, an Australian drug development company, has reported positive results from a Phase IIa trial that evaluated the efficacy of BIT225 in patients infected with the hepatitis C virus.
BIT225 specifically targets the p7 protein, which is essential to virus production and replication.
Preliminary analysis of trial data demonstrated that BIT225, an orally administered, small molecule drug, has good antiviral activity against the hepatitis C virus.
Patients receiving BIT225 in combination with interferon and ribavirin showed better reductions in hepatitis C virus levels than patients receiving standard of care treatment alone.
In the study, the drug also showed good tolerability and efficacy results.
The drug is also in development for treatment of HIV, with a Phase Ib/IIa trial currently underway, the company said.
