Pharmasset

Pharmasset

Pharmasset logo

Pharmasset was a pharmaceutical company that focused on the development of antiviral drugs, particularly for the treatment of hepatitis C. The company was founded in 1998 and was based in Princeton, New Jersey. Pharmasset gained significant attention in the pharmaceutical industry for its innovative approach to antiviral drug development, particularly its work on nucleotide analogs.

History

Pharmasset was established by a group of scientists and entrepreneurs with the goal of developing new treatments for viral infections. The company initially focused on HIV and hepatitis B but later shifted its primary focus to hepatitis C (HCV) due to the significant unmet medical need and market potential.

In 2011, Pharmasset was acquired by Gilead Sciences, a major biopharmaceutical company, for approximately $11 billion. This acquisition was largely driven by Pharmasset's promising HCV drug candidates, which were seen as potential game-changers in the treatment of hepatitis C.

Research and Development

Pharmasset's research was centered around the development of nucleotide analogs, which are compounds that mimic the building blocks of viral RNA. These analogs are designed to inhibit viral replication by incorporating into the viral RNA and causing chain termination.

One of Pharmasset's most notable drug candidates was sofosbuvir, a nucleotide analog that became a cornerstone in the treatment of hepatitis C. Sofosbuvir was approved by the FDA in 2013 and has been marketed under the brand name Sovaldi. It was the first oral, interferon-free treatment for hepatitis C, offering a more effective and less burdensome treatment option for patients.

Impact

The development of sofosbuvir and its subsequent approval marked a significant advancement in the treatment of hepatitis C. It allowed for shorter treatment durations, higher cure rates, and fewer side effects compared to previous therapies that relied on interferon and ribavirin.

Pharmasset's work laid the foundation for the development of other direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) that have transformed the landscape of hepatitis C treatment, leading to the possibility of eradicating the disease as a public health threat.

Related pages

• Gilead Sciences
• Hepatitis C
• Sofosbuvir
• Antiviral drug