Setrobuvir

Setrobuvir (also known as ANA-598) is an experimental drug candidate for the treatment of Hepatitis C. It is a non-nucleoside inhibitor of the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, an essential component of the viral replication process.

History

Setrobuvir was developed by Anadys Pharmaceuticals, a biopharmaceutical company based in San Diego, California. The drug entered Phase II clinical trials in 2010. In 2012, Anadys was acquired by Roche, a multinational healthcare company, which continued the development of Setrobuvir.

Mechanism of Action

Setrobuvir inhibits the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of the Hepatitis C virus, preventing the virus from replicating its RNA and thus interrupting its life cycle. This mechanism of action is different from that of other antiviral drugs used to treat Hepatitis C, which typically target the viral protease or NS5A protein.

Clinical Trials

In Phase II clinical trials, Setrobuvir was tested in combination with pegylated interferon and ribavirin, the standard treatment for Hepatitis C at the time. The trials showed that Setrobuvir was well-tolerated and resulted in significant reductions in viral load in patients with HCV genotype 1, the most common and difficult-to-treat type of Hepatitis C.

Future Development

As of 2021, the development of Setrobuvir has been discontinued. The reasons for this are not publicly disclosed, but it is speculated that the decision was influenced by the approval of new direct-acting antiviral drugs that have higher cure rates and fewer side effects than the previous standard treatment.

See Also

• Hepatitis C treatment
• Direct-acting antiviral drugs
• RNA-dependent RNA polymerase