New Therapy Targets Hepatitis C

Trials for a new antiviral drug that attacks microRNAs have already begun in monkeys, and researchers think that the treatment may hold promise for those suffering with all kinds of diseases, from heart disease to cancer. So far, the trials have shown the drug to be both safe and effective.

“MicroRNAs, we believe, are major new targets for drug action in the pharmaceutical industry. At the same time they represent a real breakthrough for molecular biology,” explained Horsholm-based Santaris Pharma CEO, Keith McCullagh.

Santaris Pharma, the company developing and producing the microRNA targeting drug, says that it will be tested first as a new way of treating hepatitis C. Previously, researchers at the company have used a similar drug in mice to lower cholesterol.

More recently, the drug was proven effective in lowering the cholesterol of African green monkeys by as much as 40 percent, who were each given three shots of the drug during the trials. This drastic reduction is similar to that seen in current cholesterol treatments used in humans. Perhaps most importantly, the drug seemed to have no side effects. The monkeys all had normal livers, kidneys and blood.

Peter Sarnow, a researcher at Stanford University, has proven that by blocking miR-122, the drug not only lowers cholesterol but keeps the hepatitis C from replicating and infecting other cells. “Hepatitis C infection is the first disease we are going after with this compound,” he said.

According to the World Health Orgainzation (WHO), hepatitis C is a disease affecting an estimated 170 million people worldwide. Current popular treatments for the ailment only work in around half of the patients.

“If this shows efficacy in hepatitis C phase 2 trials, we will push ahead very quickly with phase 3, and we will bring it to market in five years,” said McCullagh.

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