Friday November 9, 6:00 am Eastern Time
Press Release
SOURCE: InterMune, Inc.
Intermune Announces Four Infergen(R) Abstracts to Be Presented at Annual Liver Disease Meeting
BRISBANE, Calif., Nov. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- InterMune, Inc. (Nasdaq: ITMN - news) announced today that four abstracts related to Infergen® (Interferon alfacon-1), are being presented at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) at the Wyndham Anatole Hotel and Convention Center in Dallas.
A study being presented by Col. Maria Sjogren, M.D. on Sunday, November 11 reviews promising interim data on improved sustained virologic response when combining consensus interferon (Infergen®) and ribavirin for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C infections. ``The data on these Infergen® studies being presented at AASLD significantly strengthens the case for the use of Infergen® to treat hepatitis C infections.'' said Henry Hsu, M.D., Vice President of Clinical Research for InterMune.
The four abstracts, which are available upon request or can be downloaded at www.aasld.org, are:
1. Abstract #642: Ultra Rapid Hepatitis C Genotype 1 Viral Decline During High-Dose Consensus Interferon Induction Treatment (Poster Presentation by Dr. Avidan U. Neumann, University of Tubingen, Tubingen, Germany, on Sun., Nov. 11, Trinity Exhibit Hall);
2. Abstract #659: Efficacy and Tolerability of Consensus IFN and Ribavirin (Poster Presentation by Dr. Antonio Bellobuono, San Giuseppe Hospital, Milan, Italy, on Sun., Nov. 11, Trinity Exhibit Hall);
3. Abstract # 666: Improved Antiviral Sustained Response When Combining Consensus Interferon and Ribavirin for the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C (Poster Presentation by Col. Maria Sjogren, M.D., Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C., on Sun., Nov. 11, Trinity Exhibit Hall);
4. Abstract #1025: Interferon Pharmacokinetics and Host Factors: Effects on Hepatitis C Genotype 1 Viral Kinetics During Treatment with Consensus Interferon, (Poster Presentation by Dr. Avidan U. Neumann, University of Tubingen, Tubingen, Germany, on Mon., Nov. 12, Trinity Exhibit Hall).
About Infergen® for Hepatitis C
Infergen, also known as consensus interferon (CIFN), is a bioengineered type I interferon alfa indicated for the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C infections, including patients who have not received previous treatment with interferon agents and patients who have experienced relapse or non-response to previous treatment with interferon alfa-2b or InfergenO. Additional clinical trials are ongoing to evaluate varied dosing regimens and duration of therapy to optimize sustained antiviral response. Physicians and patients can obtain additional information about Infergen by visiting infergen.com .
Hepatitis C is a progressive blood-borne virus that is a primary cause of acute and chronic liver disease in the United States, according to the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). It accounts for about 20 percent of acute viral hepatitis and 60 to 70 percent of chronic hepatitis. Almost four million Americans have the antibody to HCV (anti-HCV), indicating ongoing or previous infection with the virus. Hepatitis C causes an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 deaths annually in the United States.
About InterMune
InterMune is a commercial-stage biotechnology company dedicated to developing innovative products for the treatment of serious pulmonary and infectious diseases and cancer. InterMune has three marketed products, growing product revenues and advanced-stage clinical programs addressing a range of diseases with attractive commercial markets. For additional information about InterMune, please visit www.intermune.com. |
