logo-loader

ContraVir Pharmaceuticals develops new formula for its Hepatitis B drug

Last updated: 16:28 21 Jun 2018 EDT, First published: 16:19 21 Jun 2018 EDT

Microscope in a lab
ContraVir focuses on developing drugs for Hepatitis B

The biopharma group ContraVir Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:CTRV)  has succeeded in developing a new formula of its Hepatitis B drug tenofovir exalidex (TXL) and is poised to start delivering the drug to patients in a dose-range finding study.

This new study will yield data on the new TXL formula and identify the dose that will be utilized in the Phase 3 registration trials for this Hepatitis B drug.

TXL displayed a favorable safety and tolerability profile in a completed Phase 2a study of HBV patients at doses of up to 100mg. By optimizing the formulation of TXL, the hope is that its delivery to the liver will be even more precise.

“The ultimate goal in enhancing drug formulation is to offer a potential therapeutic benefit that could allow for more precise and predictive dosing while remaining safe and well tolerated,” said James Sapirstein, Contravir’s chief executive officer.

Read: ContraVir Pharmaceuticals Inc’s drug study design impresses Maxim analysts

“Our goal was to further enhance the delivery of TXL to the liver and ultimately achieve better results when testing TXL in combination with other agents active against the Hepatitis B virus, including CRV431, our second investigational compound,” Sapirstein said.

The new formula may also work better in combination with other Hepatitis B vaccine treatments such as ContraVir’s CRV-431, according to Jason McCarthy, a research analyst with Maxim Group, who is keeping a Hold rating on the stock.

McCarthy is relatively optimistic about ContraVir’s potential, arguing that it could be an attractive partner for other pharmaceutical groups which are looking to develop a Hepatitis B virus regimen with tenofovir as the backbone therapy.

ContraVir focuses on developing antiviral therapies for Hepatitis B.

Dhares closed down 1.9% at US$1.56 today.

ARway.ai announces multiple new SaaS developer contracts in both the United...

ARway.ai (CSE:ARWY, OTCQB:ARWYF) Chief Executive Officer Evan Gappelberg joined Steve Darling from Proactive to announce multiple new SaaS developer sign-ups for its augmented reality experience platform, focusing on AR indoor navigation. These partnerships represent significant milestones in...

1 hour, 22 minutes ago