FLASH: Vertex Pharmaceuticals, VRTX, is Halted Pending News From FDA on its Hepatitis C Drug

BETHESDA, Md. (TheStreet) — An FDA advisory panel meets today to review a new hepatitis C drug from Vertex Pharmaceuticals(VRTX_).

“The Vertex drug, known as telaprevir, is one of the most advanced entrants in a new class of oral drugs that acts directly against the hepatitis C virus and promises to radically improve cure rates while cutting treatment duration.

The same panel of FDA-appointed experts voted 18-0 Wednesday to recommend approval of a competing hepatitis C drug developed by Merck(MRK_).

Both telaprevir and boceprevir could be approved and launched later this year, transforming the way hepatitis C is treated and leading to blockbuster sales.”

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