Last month, Merck announced the FDA would give expedited review to boceprevir, its new therapy for hepatitis C. This week Vertex announced te FDA has agreed to provide expedited review for its similar drug teleprevir for hepatitis C. The FDA set the date as May 23rd for the Vertex announcement.
This has set off another round of speculation as to which company is in the lead for approval of its drug candidate. According to Fierce Biotech, most analysts give teleprevir a nod as being the superior drug for the treatment of hepatitis C - a 3 million patient population.
Vertex CEO, Matthew Emmens said there is room for both therapies. He expressed supreme confidence that Vertex would be able to compete effectively against the larger Merck sales force and gain a top share position.
Posted by Bruce Lehr Jan 21st 2011.
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