Metabasis' partner Valeant to out-license pradefovir for hepatitis B

By Lisa Kerner

Erie, Pa., April 12 - Metabasis Therapeutics, Inc. said that its partner and licensee, Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, plans to out-license pradefovir as part of the company's overall restructuring.

Valeant will continue to develop pradefovir through the start of phase 3 clinical trials while it looks for a development partner to commercialize pradefovir for the treatment of hepatitis B, according to a news release.

"Based on these early clinical trial results, we believe pradefovir could be a best-in-class drug for the treatment of hepatitis B," Metabasis chairman, president and chief executive officer Paul Laikind said in the release.

"Therefore, we anticipate there will be significant industry interest in this late-stage compound. We expect to work closely with Valeant to maximize the market potential of this important advancement in hepatitis B therapy."

Metabasis said in a recent phase 2b clinical trial, pradefovir showed robust efficacy and was safe and well tolerated. Additionally, viral DNA levels were reduced to undetectable levels in 71% of patients treated with the dose of pradefovir that will be used in a phase 3 trial.

Metabasis is a San Diego-based biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel drugs to address chronic diseases involving pathways in the liver.

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