Bristol-Myers Squibb Suspends Development of Experimental Hepatitis C Drug

American pharmaceutical giant Bristol-Myers Squibb has announced the immediate suspension of the development of its experimental hepatitis C drug that was aimed at treating liver disease following the death of one patient while eight more had to be hospitalized.

The company was conducting Phase II trials for the effectiveness of the drug, known as BMS-986094, which it had acquired following a $2.5 billion acquisition of Inhibitex Inc.

The trial was halted on August 1 following the death of a patient due to heart failure while a follow up on other patients led to the hospitalization of eight more. BMS-986094 belongs to a new class of drugs known as nucleotide polymerase inhibitors.

Bristol added that it is working closely with the US Food and Drug Administration to follow up on the remaining patients with its chief scientific officer, Elliott Sigal stating, "We will also work expeditiously to share the results of our further investigations more broadly in the medical and scientific community."

Source: Medindia

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a contagious viral disease affecting the liver that is caused by the hepatitis C virus.

HBV Screening

Tests used for screening hepatitis B are estimation of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-HBc and anti-HBs antibodies.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is the most benign of the hepatitis viruses and usually has no long term side effects. Hepatitis A vaccine is available that is 95% effective in preventing the disease.