Eiger BioPharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:EIGR) presented additional positive lonafarnib (LNF) data from the LOWR hepatitis delta virus (HDV) program at the International Liver Congress 2018 in Paris.
A sub-analysis of the LOWR-2 study reveals high response rates to LNF all-oral therapy in patients with low baseline viral loads. After 24 weeks of treatment, all-oral lonafarnib-based regimens suppressed HDV-RNA below the limit of quantitation (BLQ) in 100% of patients with low baseline viral loads.
In addition, HDV-infected patients with high baseline viral loads responded well to combination therapy, where 50% were BLQ and 88% achieved an equal to or greater than 2 log decline at week 24.
“This new sub-analysis demonstrates high response rates with all-oral lonafarnib/ritonavir therapy in HDV-infected patients with baseline viral loads less than or equal to 4 logs,” Dr. David Apelian, COO and executive medical officer, said in a statement.
“Our data indicate that this will be relevant in approximately 30% of HDV-infected patients who present with this low baseline viral load profile,” he added.
In addition, Dr. Apelian said the company has demonstrated good response rates in patients with higher baseline viral loads greater than 4 logs with the addition of pegylated interferon-alfa to lonafarnib/ritonavir therapy.
“We are focused on developing the first approved therapy for HDV-infected patients with multiple lonafarnib-based regimens to provide options for practitioners and patients” he added.
