Next-Generation Protease Inhibitor Effective for HCV Infection

Adding telaprevir and boceprevir to standard peginterferon and ribavirin therapy has been shown to significantly improve virologic response rates for patients with genotype 1 hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (JW Gastroenterol Jul 1 2011 and JW Gastroenterol Mar 30 2011). However, these first-generation HCV nonstructured protein (NS)3/4A protease inhibitors require a complex administration schedule and are associated with additional adverse effects.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of vaniprevir (MK-7009) — a macrocyclic next-generation HCV NS3/4A protease inhibitor that is administered once or twice daily — investigators conducted an industry-funded, phase II, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging study …