RO5024048 + peginterferon alfa-2a

RO5024048 + peginterferon alfa-2a is an investigational combination therapy for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. RO5024048, also known as mericitabine, is an oral prodrug of a cytidine nucleoside analogue (RO4995855) that acts as a selective inhibitor of the HCV RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, directly inhibiting HCV RNA synthesis. Peginterferon alfa-2a (Pegasys) is a pegylated recombinant form of interferon that stimulates the innate antiviral immune response mainly through binding to the type 1 interferon receptor, activating the JAK/STAT pathway and upregulating antiviral gene expression. This combination has been studied in multi-drug regimens for patients with HCV genotypes 1 or 4, often in conjunction with ribavirin and danoprevir/ritonavir, particularly for those with prior partial or null response to peginterferon/ribavirin therapy. Mericitabine was developed by Roche and both components are administered together to improve sustained virologic response in chronic HCV infection[1][2][3][5][7].

Brand names

Pegasys

Other names

mericitabine