Medivir ends hep B drug development

Medivir ($MVIR), which is partnered with Johnson & Johnson ($JNJ) on the late-stage hep C drug simeprevir, said it has discontinued the development of its hepatitis B compound MIV-210 based on a joint decision with South Korean collaborator Daewoong Pharmaceutical. Under the terms of the agreement, Daewoong has been responsible for R&D work on MIV-210. While the drug was found to have competitive antiviral activity, but it does not completely eradicate HBV and would require combination with other drugs to be completely effective. The announcement follows Medivir's decision in August to give up on its effort to develop an NS5A inhibitor that could be used in an interferon-free cocktail. Release