Virology

Roche’s research in virology addresses a growing medical concern and a major challenge for public health. The vision is to change the way viral diseases are treated in order to find cures for chronic viral infections.

Hepatitis C is on the rise in the Western world as well as in many emerging markets. To meet the different needs of people infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), future treatment options are likely to include interferon-free, as well as interferon-containing triple- and quadruple-combination therapy regimens.

Roche has several oral, direct-acting antiviral agents in late-stage development for hepatitis C, focusing on two mechanisms of action: polymerase inhibition and protease inhibition. Compounds from both classes are being studied in combination with Pegasys and Copegus. Currently, two Hepatitis C projects are in phase 1 and three in phase 2.

The goal is to create the broadest range of tolerable and efficacious options for patients by identifying and targeting the genomic factors associated with viral disease, drug resistance and individual variation in therapeutic response.