OctoPlus says hepatitis C drug effective in study

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Dutch biotechnology firm OctoPlus said on Tuesday European safety and efficacy Phase IIa studies have shown an antiviral effect for its chronic hepatitis C drug Locteron.

"A statistically significant dose response was observed in the study," the company said in a statement, adding that the drug was tolerated at all doses.

The company, which has four other products in pre-clinical and clinical development, said approximately 90 percent of adverse events were rated as mild.

OctoPlus is co-developing Locteron with its partner Biolex Therapeutics, which plans to commence a European safety and efficacy Phase IIb trial of the drug in mid-2008.

With Locteron, OctoPlus is aiming to develop a treatment for patients with chronic hepatitis C, with fewer side effects and a more convenient dosing schedule compared with current therapies.

(Reporting by Harro ten Wolde)