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TREKtx Acquires Lomibuvir, Merimepodib

Trek Therapeutics announced the acquisition of the development and commercialization rights to the infectious disease inhibitors lomibuvir and merimepodib.

Both previously owned by Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc., lomibuvir (VX-222) is a non-nucleoside inhibitor of the hepatitis C virus NS5B polymerase and merimepodib (VX-497) is an inhibitor of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase.

Lomibuvir and merimepodib completed phase 2b clinical studies in HCV patients. The lomibuvir trial enrolled 106 people with chronic HCV genotype 1. Results suggested that, when used as part of a combination regimen, lomibuvir had the potential to clear the virus in as little as 12 weeks. In the merimepodib trial, according to results of the 30 enrolled patients, the inhibitor reduced liver inflammation in patients with HCV.

Anna Kwong

“Senior management at TREKtx is familiar with VX-222, lomibuvir, and VX-497, merimepodib, having worked closely with the compounds in the past,” Anna Kwong, PhD, chief executive officer of TREKtx, said in a press release, “I look forward to working again with these agents, which broaden our antiviral portfolio and further position TREKtx to achieve our goal of developing antiviral drugs that are affordable and accessible.”

Vertex Pharmaceuticals will be eligible to collect royalties based on the success of the two inhibitors.