valopicitabine + pegylated interferon alfa

Valopicitabine + pegylated interferon alfa is a combination investigational therapy for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, particularly genotype 1, that has been studied in patients who have either failed previous interferon-based regimens or are treatment-naive[1][2][4]. **Valopicitabine** (NM283) is an oral **nucleoside analogue** polymerase inhibitor that targets HCV RNA polymerase, inhibiting viral replication[7]. **Pegylated interferon alfa-2a** (brand: Pegasys) is a **recombinant type I interferon** modified with polyethylene glycol to increase its half-life, and it stimulates the innate antiviral immune response through activation of the JAK/STAT pathway[3]. The combination was developed to improve viral suppression in HCV compared to standard therapy, but while some end-of-treatment responses were promising, sustained virologic response (SVR) rates were low in Phase II trials[2]. Development was led by Idenix Pharmaceuticals in collaboration with Novartis[7].

Brand names

Pegasys

Other names

pegylated interferon alfa-2apeginterferon alfa-2avalopicitabine