- Janssen initiates dosing of patients in OMEGA-1: Phase 2b study evaluating six- and eight-week
treatment durations with JNJ-4178, a 3DAA combination of odalasvir, simeprevir, and AL-335, for the treatment of chronic HCV
-
NEW HAVEN, Conn., Nov. 30, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Achillion Pharmaceuticals,
Inc. (Nasdaq:ACHN) today announced the start of patient dosing in a global Phase 2b open-label OMEGA-1 study of
JNJ-4178, a 3DAA combination of odalasvir, simeprevir, and AL-335, has been initiated by Janssen Research & Development, LLC., part
of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson (Janssen), in treatment-naive and treatment-experienced patients with
chronic hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) without cirrhosis.
This large, international, multi-center study is expected to enroll approximately 300 HCV patients, and is part
of Janssen’s global development program for JNJ-4178. Clinical trial sites are located in Europe, North America, and Asia.
The objectives of OMEGA-1 are to investigate the efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetics of JNJ-4178 (odalasvir
(25mg QD), simeprevir (75mg QD), and AL-335 (800mg QD)) in treatment-naive and treatment-experienced non-cirrhotic patients with
chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 infection. Patients in the study will receive the triple combination once
daily for either 6 or 8 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint will be the percentage of patients with a sustained virological
response 12 weeks after the end of treatment (SVR12).
An ongoing Phase 2a study (‘604’ study) is assessing JNJ-4178 in patients with or without compensated
cirrhosis.
Further information on these trials can be found on www.clinicaltrials.gov. Study identifiers NCT02765490 and
NCT02569710.
About HCV
Globally, HCV infection is a leading cause of liver disease and liver related mortality. It is currently
estimated that more than 150 million people are infected with HCV worldwide including approximately 3 million people in the United
States. Three-quarters of the HCV patient population is undiagnosed; it is a silent epidemic and a major global health threat.
Chronic hepatitis, if left untreated, can lead to permanent liver damage that can result in the development of liver cancer, liver
failure or death. Despite available treatments, there remains a significant unmet need for many patients infected with HCV.
About Achillion Pharmaceuticals
Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ACHN) is a science-driven, patient-focused company seeking to leverage
its strengths across the continuum from discovery to commercialization in its goal of providing better treatments for people with
serious diseases. The company employs a highly-disciplined discovery and development approach that has allowed it to pursue
best-in-class oral antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C (HCV) and build a platform of potent and specific complement
inhibitors. Achillion is rapidly advancing its efforts to become a fully-integrated pharmaceutical company with a goal of bringing
life-saving medicines to patients with rare diseases. More information is available at http://www.achillion.com
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995 that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. Achillion may use words such as “expect,” “anticipate,”
“project,” “intend,” “plan,” “aim,” “believe,” “seek,” “ estimate,” “can,” “focus,” “will,” “look forward,” “goal,” and “may” and
similar expressions to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements also include statements about:
the Company’s expected plans, timing, data readouts and results from ongoing and planned clinical trials of both ACH-4471 and HCV
development candidates being advanced by Janssen under the Company’s collaboration with Janssen; and statements concerning the
Company’s strategic goals, milestone plans, and prospects. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements are risks relating to, among other things Achillion’s ability
to: advance the preclinical and clinical development of its complement factor D inhibitors under the timelines it projects in
current and future preclinical studies and clinical trials; obtain and maintain patent protection for its drug candidates and the
freedom to operate under third party intellectual property; demonstrate in any current and future clinical trials the requisite
safety, efficacy and combinability of its drug candidates; obtain and maintain necessary regulatory approvals; establish commercial
manufacturing arrangements; identify, enter into and maintain collaboration agreements with third-parties, including the current
collaboration with Janssen; compete successfully in the markets in which it seeks to develop and commercialize its product
candidates and future products; manage expenses; manage litigation; raise the substantial additional capital needed to achieve its
business objectives; and successfully execute on its business strategies. Furthermore, because Janssen is solely responsible for
the development and commercialization of our HCV assets under the exclusive worldwide license we granted to it and has the deciding
vote on all collaboration matters, Janssen generally has full discretion over all development plans and strategies and may not
advance the HCV programs in the time frames Achillion or Janssen projects, or at all, including with regard to the current and
planned phase 2a and phase 2b combination trials that include our licensed drug candidates. These and other risks are described in
the reports filed by Achillion with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2016, and its subsequent SEC filings.
In addition, any forward-looking statement in this press release represents Achillion’s views only as of the
date of this press release and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. Achillion disclaims
any duty to update any forward-looking statement, except as required by applicable law.
Investors: Glenn Schulman, PharmD, MPH Executive Director, Investor Relations Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Tel. (203) 752-5510 gschulman@achillion.com Media: Liz Power Senior Director, Public Relations Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Tel: (203) 752-5509 lpower@achillion.com
