Vertex, JNJ's Janssen Enter Agreement for Phase 2 Hepatitis C Study

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

today announced that it has entered into a non-exclusive collaboration with Johnson & Johnson's

Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to conduct a Phase 2 proof-of-concept study of an all-oral regimen for the treatment of hepatitis C containing Vertex's nucleotide analogue hepatitis C virus (HCV) polymerase inhibitor VX-135 and Janssen's protease inhibitor simeprevir (TMC435). As part of the collaboration, Janssen will conduct a drug-drug interaction study with VX-135 and simeprevir to support the planned initiation of a Phase 2 proof-of-concept study in early 2013, pending discussions with regulatory authorities. The Phase 2 study is expected to evaluate safety, tolerability and viral cure rates using a 12-week combination of VX-135 and simeprevir. The companies will jointly fund development