CTP-543 Clears Patent Challenge - $16.09

The press release is here PTAB Denies Incyte Petition Challenging CTP-543 Patent. More importantly drug deuteration is as strong as ever with the following five victories under it's belt.

1. Auspex deuterated form of venlafaxine challenge was denied.

2. Auspex purchased by TEVA Pharmaceuticals for  3.5 billion.

3. Austedo first deuterated drug approved by FDA for  Huntington's chorea.

4. Vertex purchasing CTP-656 for up to 250 million.

5. CTP-543 patent holds validity versus Incyte Corporation.

This completes the CNCE Three Hurdles To Clear, and now the company can solely focus on developing CTP-543 for Alopecia Areata, and a second soon to be announced indication. Thank you for reading.

Vertex Cystic Fibrosis Program

Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) has been, and will continue to be the leader in therapy for people with Cystic Fibrosis. Below is an update of all the different drugs in clinical trials that the company is currently running, including deuterated ivacaftor (VX-561), formerly known as CTP-656 that was purchased for $160 million from Concert Pharmaceuticals in July. Concert is eligible for up to $90 million more, dependent upon how far VX-561 progresses.

Twice Daily  
Ivacaftor 
Ivacaftor + Lumacaftor
Ivacaftor + Tezacaftor

Twice Daily Triple Combo Phase 2
Ivacaftor + Tezacaftor + VX-440 
Ivacaftor + Tezacaftor + VX-152
Ivacaftor + Tezacaftor + VX-659
Ivacaftor + Tezacaftor + VX-445

Once Daily Triple Combo Phase 2
VX-561 + Tezacaftor + VX-659 readout March 2018
VX-561 + Tezacaftor + VX-445 readout April 2018

The Ivacaftor patent runs to 2027, the Deuterated Ivacaftor (VX-561) patent runs into 2031. The goal for the program is to create a triple combo (1 potentiator, 2 correctors) once daily dosing for the majority of CF people with the F508del mutation. The company plans to run phase 3 triple combo trials in 2018.  Thank you for reading.