Idenix Restructures, Amends Collaboration with Novartis

Idenix Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Cambridge, MA), has announced a strategic restructuring and an amended collaboration agreement with Novartis Pharma AG related to Sebivo (also marketed as Tyzeka), an oral treatment for patients with chronic hepatitis B.

According to the amended agreement, Idenix will discontinue all development, manufacturing, and commercial activities for Sebivo. Novartis will have full responsibility for ongoing and future clinical trials and regulatory filings related to Sebivo. Idenix will receive a royalty on worldwide product sales. As a result of the changes, Idenix is reducing its workforce of 300 persons by approximately 100 positions, the majority of which support the development and commercialization of Sebivo in the US and Europe.

The changes will allow Idenix to focus on its HCV and HIV programs. Idenix currently has a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, IDX899, for the treatment of HIV-1, which is being evaluated in Phase 1 and 2 clinical testing. The company also has a comprehensive HCV discovery effort, comprising a next-generation nucleoside polymerase inhibitor program, including IDX102 and IDX184, which are being evaluated in preclinical testing, and HCV non-nucleoside polymerase inhibitor and HCV protease inhibitor programs.