Bristol-Myers Squibb announces Baraclude study data

Bristol-Myers Squibb has announced the results of a study investigating Baraclude (entecavir) that saw the compound exhibiting improved viral load reduction at 12, 24 and 48 weeks when compared to adefovir.

Results from the ETV-079 study of 69 antiviral-naive patients that are chronic hepatitis B-antigen positive were presented at the annual meeting of Digestive Disease Week.

The study investigated the efficacy of Barclude and adefovir, with 58 per cent of patients administered with Baraclude and 19 per cent of those receiving adefovir displaying an undetectable viral load after 48 weeks of treatment.

Nancy Leung of the Alic Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital, said: “The study results show that Baraclude produced greater viral load reductions than adefovir at all time points analyzed – from the earliest at 12 weeks to this latest analysis at 48 weeks.”

Bristol-Myers Squibb notes that the safety of both compounds tested was comparable, with one patient administered with adefovir discontinuing treatment as a result of adverse effects.

A nucleoside analogue indicated for the treatment of infection with the chronic hepatitis B virus, Baraclude is currently approved in 60 countries worldwide.

In April 2007, Bristol-Myers Squibb reported the results of a study showing that patients who have previously taken Baraclude exhibiting a recurrence of the hepatitis B virus following a halt in treatment displayed renewed viral suppression and a normalisation of liver enzyme following a restart of therapy with the compound.