Anadys Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ANDS) announced preliminary data derived from two studies of the company’s ANA598 drug, focused on treating the hepatitis C virus.

According to the company; “Two animals chronically infected with HCV genotype 1b each received once-daily oral doses of ANA598 at 30 mg/kg for four days. A rapid viral load decline was seen in both animals. At 48 hours (24 hours after the second dose), viral load declines were 2.2 and 2.6 log10 in the individual animals. In one animal the viral load reduction was sustained throughout the remaining dosing period, while in the second animal a modest rise in viral load was seen over days 3 and 4, although the rise observed ( 0.6 log10) was within the baseline variability seen in this animal prior to dosing.”

Furthermore, in a previous study conducted to assess the safety, tolerability and preliminary antiviral activity of ANA598, two HCV genotype 1a infected animals received a single oral dose of ANA598 at 30 mg/kg. After 24 hours of the initial dosing, plasma levels of ANA598 exceeded the replicon EC95 values. After 48 hours after dosing, the mean viral load decline in the two animals was 1.0 log10. Subsequently, the ANA598 drug was well tolerated by all of the animals.

Steve Worldand, Ph.D. and CEO, commented, “These positive animal efficacy data reinforce our continued enthusiasm for development of ANA598 as a potential new direct antiviral treatment for chronic HCV. The rapid viral load decline and the favorable PK, safety and tolerability profile demonstrated in these animal efficacy studies further support continued development of ANA598 as a candidate for use in combination with other agents for the treatment of chronic HCV infection.”

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