Further research is needed to evaluate the potential prognostic value and therapeutics implications of these sequence variants. Disclosures: Manuel Romero-Gomez – Advisory Committees or Review Panels: Roche Farma,SA., MSD, S.A., Janssen,

S.A., Abbott, S.A.; Grant/Research Support: Ferrer, S.A. Javier Crespo – Board Membership: MSD, Roche, Janssen, this website Gilead The following people have nothing to disclose: Joaquin Cabezas, Emilio Fábrega, Ignacio Varela, Jose Luis Fernandez Luna, Ana Fontalbo, Juan Antonio Gomez Gerique, Jose A. Del Campo, Angela Rojas, Angela Puente, Maria Teresa Arias, Marta García-Valdecasas Background: MK-8742 is a small molecule inhibitor of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) non-structural protein 5A (NS5A) that is being developed for

the treatment of HCV infection. In vitro, MK-8742 has broad HCV genotypic activities and is potent against viral variants that are resistant to other 1st generation NS5A inhibitors. A Phase 1b, randomized, placebo-controlled study was conducted to assess the safety, pharmacokinetics and antiviral activity of MK-8742 in patients with chronic genotype (GT) -1 or -3 HCV infection. Methods: 48 adult males, with HCV RNA > 105 IU/mL and GT-1 or -3 chronic HCV infection without clinical evidence of cirrhosis, were randomized to receive placebo or MK-8742 from 5 to 50 mg (GT-1) or 10 to 100 mg (GT-3)

once daily for 5 days. Plasma samples from baseline, the end of treatment and follow-up visits were collected and the full-length check details click here NS5A gene was analyzed by population sequencing. Selected samples were further analyzed with clonal sequencing to evaluate the distribution and linkage of resistance associated variants (RAVs). Results: MK-8742 has rapid inhibition leading to mean maximum viral load reductions of 3.7 – 5.1 log 10 IU/mL HCV RNA in GT-1 patients who received 5 – 50 mg daily doses. The durability of viral load decline following therapy was more sustained in GT-1 b patients than in GT-1 a patients at the same dose. Resistance associated variants, Y93H and M28V, were detected in two GT-1 patients prior to treatment. Despite the presence of baseline RAVs, these patients achieved >3 log viral load reduction. No viral breakthrough was observed during treatment. Post-baseline RAVs, M28A/T/V, Q30H/R, L31 F/V/I/M and Y93C/H/N/R, were detected at the end of treatment and at follow-up visits in GT-1 patients. Compared to GT-1, the antiviral response in GT-3 was less robust with a mean maximum viral load reduction of ∼3 log at 50 and 100 mg doses. Two GT-3 patients who had baseline RAVs (A30K/E/K/T) and received a sub-optimal 10 mg dose had a minimal viral load reduction. Post baseline RAVs, including A30E/K/T, L31I/F and Y93C/H/R.