I think the comparable rate -- for legacy Schering-Plough/New Merck's Boceprevir® (in its preliminarily released "top-line" study results) was just a little less than 50 percent, on a 24 week schedule. The fat lady is clearing her throat, here folks -- Vertex's Teleprevir® is showing 50 percent better efficacy, and in about half the time. Vertex will very likely file with FDA first; and will now clearly show better efficacy than Merck's candidate, in its application. Here's the Reuters version of the story, tonight:
. . . .A hepatitis C treatment being developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals led to a 75 percent cure rate in a pivotal trial of previously untreated patients, the company said on Tuesday.The results from the first late-stage Phase III study of telaprevir came in at the high end of expectations for a cure rate of 70 to 75 percent, with slightly lower discontinuation rates due to side effects than previously seen.
Investors cheered the data, sending Vertex shares, which have slumped recently, up more than 12 percent in after-hours trading. . . .
Indeed.
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