Premier Medical Group’s Clinical Research Division had a lot to celebrate this holiday season. The FDA just approved Viekira Pak™ to treat patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 infection, including those with a type of advanced liver disease called cirrhosis.
Premier Medical’s Clinical Research Division was responsible for eight Viekira Pak™ clinical trials during its developmental stages which started in 2010. One of the Principal Investigators of these clinical trials was Dr. Peter Varunok. Dr. Varunok is the primary Hepatologist for Premier Medical Group, and is Medical Director of Clinical Research for the GI Division of Premier Medical Group.
“Our foremost goal in research is to offer our patients something above and beyond what the standard of care is. We are proud to be in the field of research, and very grateful to those who assist and participate in our trials. Our participation in clinical trials provides us the opportunity to stay at the forefront of hepatitis C research, which ultimately benefits our patients and our community” says Dr. Varunok.
Hepatitis C is a viral disease that causes inflammation of the liver that can lead to reduced liver function, liver failure or liver cancer. Most people infected with HCV have no symptoms of the disease until liver damage becomes apparent, which may take decades. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 3.2 million Americans are infected with HCV, and without proper treatment, 15-30 percent of these people will go on to develop cirrhosis.
Viekira Pak™ contains three new drugs—ombitasvir, paritaprevir and dasabuvir—that work together to inhibit the growth of HCV. It also contains ritonavir, a previously approved drug, which is used to increase blood levels of paritaprevir.