Janssen buys the rights to GSK’s hepatitis C compound

Janssen has acquired the rights to develop and commercialize an investigational compound for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C from an affiliate of GlaxoSmithKline plc.

The compound, GSK2336805, is an NS5a replication complex inhibitor and is currently in phase 2 development. Janssen plans to initiate phase 2 clinical trials to evaluate the use of GSK2336805 in interferon-free combinations with the investigational protease inhibitor simeprevir (TMC435) and TMC647055, Janssen's non-nucleoside polymerase inhibitor, for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in adult patients with compensated liver disease.

"We're excited to add GSK2336805 to our existing portfolio of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). This addition will broaden our clinical development program as we continue to look for new investigational interferon-free treatment combinations to combat the hepatitis C virus. Janssen is dedicated to working with the hepatitis C community to investigate our portfolio of DAAs in a number of different treatment combinations and hepatitis C patient populations."

Gaston Picchio, Hepatitis Disease Area Leader, Janssen.

Hepatitis C is a blood-borne infectious disease of the liver and a leading cause of chronic liver disease. Approximately 150 million people are infected with hepatitis C worldwide, including approximately 3.2 million people in the United States. When left untreated, hepatitis C can cause significant damage to the liver including cirrhosis. Additionally, hepatitis C may increase the risk of developing complications from cirrhosis, which may include liver failure.