For example, some compounds for dengue might also work for Hepatitis C, which is a blockbuster.
That would be bad news for hepatitis C players such as Gilead and Bristol-Myers Squibb.
The fifth was a chemical synthesized by Merck researchers in Rome who were searching for hepatitis C drugs.
Late last night, Roche received approval from the Food and Drug Administration for Pegasys, a treatment for hepatitis C.
There is no cure for hepatitis C, and treatment is only 50% effective.
Second, Bristol-Myers Squibb stopped a Phase II study of its BMS-094 for hepatitis C because of a serious safety issue.
Biotech firms ZymoGenetics and Idenix saw double-digit gains as a result of increasing interest in their treatments for hepatitis C.
More bad news: Mid-stage trials of a new drug for hepatitis C being developed by Wyeth and biotech Viropharma were stopped.
Gilead is also testing a protease inhibitor for hepatitis C, a disease for which there aren't a lot of great treatments.
McDonald suggests one likely target: Albuferon, an interferon drug for hepatitis C now in phase 2 trials that belongs to Human Genome Sciences.
The current treatment for hepatitis C combines interferon drugs sold by Roche and Merck with an antiviral medicine called ribavirin in an 11-month course.
An advisory panel to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration unanimously voted Nov. 14 that Roche's new combination therapy for hepatitis C should be approved.
While no vaccine exists for hepatitis C, early detection and treatment can curb transmission, limit the disease's progression, and prevent life-threatening complications, including liver cancer.
WHITEHOUSE: Presidential Proclamation -- World Hepatitis Day, 2012
The provisions put in place, which also include an eight-fold increase in the number of prisoners receiving treatment for hepatitis C, have led to falling rates of infection.
"In particular, undergoing treatment for Hepatitis C can be gruelling, so patients may need help for social needs arising while they are being treated, " he said.
The two-year survival for hepatitis C was also lower for African Americans, although the rate for hepatitis B was similar for this race, white Americans and Hispanics.
In justifying his strong buy rating on the company, Carl Byrns at Dain Rauscher Wessels points to an anti-viral drug: Peg-intron plus ribavirin combination therapy for Hepatitis C.
Sales of its best-seller, Incivek for hepatitis C, are dropping.
Biogen went on to create one of the first treatments for hepatitis C and the vaccine given for hepatitis B before becoming a dominant player in treating multiple sclerosis.
More bad news: Mid-stage trials of a new drug for hepatitis C being developed by Wyeth and biotech Viropharma (nasdaq: VPHM - news - people ) were stopped.
Schering-Plough faces legal investigations into its disclosure and pricing practices, a dismal relationship with the Food and Drug Administration and cutthroat competition on its best-selling drug, a treatment for hepatitis C called Peg-Intron.
McDonald suggests one likely target: Albuferon, an interferon drug for hepatitis C now in phase 2 trials that belongs to Human Genome Sciences (nasdaq: HGSI - news - people ).
Its main product will be an antiviral drug called ribavirin, which is being marketed by Schering-Plough (nyse: SGP - news - people) as part of a combination therapy for hepatitis C.
With a study released this morning, Vertex Pharmaceuticals cemented a key advantage in what is expected to be a booming new market for hepatitis C drugs this morning, increasing its edge over Merck, its main competitor.
The goal, Gilead said in its press release, is to create an all-oral treatment for hepatitis C that would replace the difficult treatment with injected interferon and ribavirin, an antiviral pill, along with the fatigue and other side effects they cause.
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Wall Street is bracing for one of the biggest new drug categories in a decade: the launch of a series of antiviral medicines that could dramatically improve the cure rate for hepatitis C, a viral disease that slowly attacks the liver and is often fatal.
Roche also presented positive results for its hepatitis C polymerase inhibitor at the Boston meeting.
It is recommended they be tested for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV, the health department said.
Snider said letters would be sent Friday to 7, 000 patients recommending testing for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.
Roche (other-otc: RHHBY - news - people ) also presented positive results for its hepatitis C polymerase inhibitor at the Boston meeting.
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