HGS/Novartis drug non- inferior to Pegasys

USA-based Human Genome Sciences has reported that its Albuferon (albinterferon alfa-2b) met the primary endpoint in ACHIEVE 1, a Phase  III trial in the treatment of hepatitis C.

Albuferon, in combination with ribavirin, was non-inferior to Swiss drug  major Roche's Pegasys (peginterferon alfa-2a) in the randomized,  multicenter, active-controlled trial in treatment-naive patients with  genotype-1 chronic hepatitis C (p=0.0008).

48% (213/442) of subjects achieved sustained virological response in the  Albuferon 900mcg group, versus 51% (225/441) in the Pegasys cohort.  Patients receiving the active drug had comparable rates of serious  and/or severe adverse events compared to the placebo arm (24% vs 23%).