Abbott and Enanta Pharmaceuticals announced the advancement of their hepatitis C (HCV) collaboration with a first-in-human study evaluating ABT-450, an oral protease inhibitor for the treatment of chronic HCV. The objectives of the trial include assessment of safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics. ABT-450 was discovered as part of a worldwide alliance between Abbott and Enanta to discover, develop and commercialize protease inhibitors for the treatment of HCV.

"Hepatitis C is a serious global health concern, with 170 million people currently infected by six different HCV genotypes," said John M Leonard, senior vice president, Global Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Abbott. "As a global leader in the development of antiviral therapies and diagnostics, Abbott is bringing its decades of antiviral experience, particularly with protease inhibitors, to this collaboration and to the fight against HCV."

"ABT-450 demonstrated favourable potency in vitro across various HCV genotypes and highly resistant strains," said Jay R Luly, president and CEO of Enanta Pharmaceuticals. "We look forward to working with Abbott to advance ABT-450, and to our building a pipeline of HCV protease inhibitors that addresses this widespread disease."

The phase 1, double-blind, placebo-controlled study for ABT-450 announced today is a single, ascending oral dose trial in healthy volunteers.

Hepatitis C is a liver disease affecting more than 170 million people worldwide. The virus is spread through direct contact with the blood of an infected person. Hepatitis C increases a person's risk of developing chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, liver cancer and death.

Liver disease associated with HCV infection is growing rapidly, and current therapies only provide sustained benefit in about half of patients with the genotype 1 form of the virus. Specifically targeted antiviral therapies for HCV, such as NS3/4a protease inhibitors, may have the potential to increase the proportion of patients in whom the virus can be eradicated.

Enanta Pharmaceuticals is a research and development company that uses its novel chemistry approach and drug discovery capabilities to create best-in-class small molecule drugs in the anti-infective field.

Abbott is working to advance the treatment of Hepatitis C (HCV) through a multifaceted discovery and development program that leverages the company's deep experience in antiviral medicines.