Biotron releases more data from HCV trial

Biotron (ASX:BIT) has provided more information from its phase IIa trial of antiviral drug candidate BIT225 in hepatitis C.

Pharmacokinetic data from the trial suggests a potential for less frequent dosing with BIT225 compared to standard-of-care treatments interferon and ribavirin (IFN/RBV).

The study also found no indication of drug resistance build-up among the subjects in the trial.

The new results were presented at the International Liver Congress 2013 in Amsterdam last week.

Biotron has already published data showing that 100% of patients receiving a 400 mg dose of BIT225 and 88% in the 200 mg group had undetectable levels of virus at the 48-week point. This compares to 75% for the placebo group.

BIT225 is a viroporin inhibitor which Biotron is developing as a treatment for HCV as well as HIV.

In March, the company announced early results from a concurrent phase Ib/IIa trial in HIV, showing that BIT226 targets HIV reservoir precursor cells, giving it the potential to prevent HIV re-infection.

Biotron is currently conducting a clinical trial of the antiviral therapy in patients co-infected with both HIV and HCV.

Biotron shares were trading unchanged at $0.098 as of around 2 pm on Thursday.