Asunaprevir Explained

Asunaprevir (formerly BMS-650032, brand name in Japan and Russia^[1] Sunvepra) is an experimental drug candidate for the treatment of hepatitis C. It was undergoing development by Bristol-Myers Squibb and has completed Phase III clinical trials in 2013.^[2]

Asunaprevir is an inhibitor of the hepatitis C virus enzyme serine protease NS3.^[3] Asunaprevir is being tested in combination with pegylated interferon and ribavirin, as well as in interferon-free regimens with other direct-acting antiviral agents including daclatasvir.^{[4] [5] [6]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: Sunvepra (asunaprevir) soft gelatin capsules 100 mg. Registration certificate. State Register of Medicines. 26 August 2015. Russian.
2. Web site: A Phase 3 Study in Combination With BMS-790052 and BMS-650032 in Japanese Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Patients . 23 September 2015 . ClinicalTrials.gov.
3. Asunaprevir. HCV serine protein NS3 inhibitor, Treatment of hepatitis C virus . C. Reviriego . Drugs of the Future . 2012 . 37 . 4 . 247–254 . 10.1358/dof.2012.037.04.1789350.
4. Lok AS, Gardiner DF, Lawitz E, Martorell C, Everson GT, Ghalib R, Reindollar R, Rustgi V, McPhee F, Wind-Rotolo M, Persson A, Zhu K, Dimitrova DI, Eley T, Guo T, Grasela DM, Pasquinelli C . Preliminary study of two antiviral agents for hepatitis C genotype 1 . The New England Journal of Medicine . 366 . 3 . 216–24 . January 2012 . 22256805 . 10.1056/NEJMoa1104430 . free .
5. Web site: Bristol-Myers' Daclatasvir, Asunaprevir Cured 77%: Study . . Apr 19, 2012.
6. http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hepatitis-c/hepatitis-c-topics/hcv-treatment/3337-aasld-daclatasvir-plus-asunaprevir-rapidly-suppresses-hcv-in-prior-null-responders AASLD: Daclatasvir plus Asunaprevir Rapidly Suppresses HCV in Prior Null Responders