Janssen initiates phase 1 trial of Olysio/odalasvir for AL-335 pharmacokinetics

Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies has initiated a phase 1 clinical trial that will evaluate the effect of Olysio and odalasvir on the pharmacokinetics of AL-335, a nucleotide-based polymerase inhibitor for hepatitis C virus infection, according to a press release from Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

The study is an open-label, two-group study of a combination regimen of Olysio (simeprevir, AbbVie) and odalasvir (ACH-3102, Achillion), a HCV NS5A inhibitor, on the pharmacokinetics of AL-335 (Achillion), a nucleotide-based HCV polymerase inhibitor, when administered to healthy volunteers, according to the release.

Achillion entered into a licensing agreement with Janssen in June to develop and commercialize HCV products and regimens containing one or more of Achillion’s HCV assets, such as odalasvir, ACH-3422 and sovaprevir (ACH-1625, Achillion). According to a previous press release, an important goal of the collaboration will be to develop a pan-genotypic, oral regimen for the treatment of HCV.

Milind Deshpande, PhD, president and CEO of Achillion, said in a previous release: “We are excited to collaborate with Janssen for the worldwide development of our HCV assets in combination with their HCV portfolio. We believe that Janssen’s renowned expertise in HCV development and commercialization enables a synergistic opportunity to rapidly advance our combined HCV assets toward the market while simultaneously achieving an optimized treatment regimen for all HCV patients.”

Disclosure: Deshpande reports being employed by Achillion.