The Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is the most common cause of viral hepatitis, which is an inflammation of the liver. It is currently estimated that over 170 million people are infected with HCV worldwide and The American Association of Liver Disease estimates that up to 85% of individuals become chronically infected following exposure. If left untreated, chronic hepatitis can lead to permanent liver damage, which can result in the development of liver cancer, liver failure or death. Few therapeutic options currently exist for the treatment of HCV infection. The current standard of care is limited by its specificity for certain types of HCV, significant side-effect profile, injectable route of administration and high cost.

Achillion's approach in developing new therapies for HCV is three-fold: First, Achillion is developing ACH-1095, a candidate that specifically recognizes a new HCV target, NS4A. Second, in a proprietary program targeting the HCV NS3 protease, Achillion is advancing ACH-1625, a potent HCV inhibitor with an excellent safety profile and unique pharmacokinetics suggestive of once-daily dosing. Third, Achillion is advancing the newest clinical candidate in its proprietary HCV portfolio - ACH-2684, a compound with excellent potency in the pico-molar range focused on emerging resistant HCV variants.

Program Overview
Through its own in-house discovery efforts, Achillion has identified and is developing ACH-1625, a potent inhibitor of HCV protease. more

Data Overview
A pre-clinical and clinical studies, ACH-1625 has been shown to be potent, have unique pharmacokinetic properties, and have a safe in vivo profile even at very high does. more