Arrowhead begins triple-combination HBV therapy trial

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals began dosing in a new phase 1/2 study designed to evaluate a triple combination therapy that includes JNJ-3989 (formally ARO-HBV) and two undisclosed agents selected by Janssen Pharmaceuticals for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B, according to a press release.

Additionally, the company earned a $25 million milestone payment from Janssen Pharmaceuticals.

“Both Arrowhead and Janssen share the aim to advance transformational medicines that achieve higher rates of functional cure with a finite treatment duration for patients with chronic hepatitis B viral infection,” Christopher Anzalone, PhD, president and CEO of Arrowhead, said in the release. “Beginning this new triple combination cohort in our ongoing AROHBV1001 study has the potential to generate valuable data rapidly.”

The AROHBV1001 study will evaluate the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetic effects of single-ascending doses of ARO-HBV in healthy adult volunteers and outcomes of multiple-ascending doses in patients with chronic HBV.

Arrowhead entered into a license and collaboration agreement with Janssen in October 2018 to develop and commercialize ARO-HBV and is eligible to receive an additional $25 million from Janssen upon the initiation of a phase 2 study.

Reference: www.arrowheadpharma.com