Shares of Anadys Pharmaceuticals tanked on Monday after the company said that it had halted an early stage clinical trial of ANA975 for hepatitis C. Researchers halted the study after determining that preclinical animal study data demonstrated an intense immune stimulation. Analysts were already skeptical about Anadys' chances after receiving word earlier this month that CEO Kleanthis Xanthopoulos was joining an equity firm. They have raised new doubts about the company's prospects, noting a lack of viable drug candidates in the pipeline. Anadys had inked a lucrative licensing deal for ANA975, gaining $20 million up front from Novartis and a schedule of $550 million in milestones.
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