Contacts   Site Map

Search

PEGASYS® (pegylated interferon alfa-2a) Partner: Roche Indication: Hepatitis C Status: Approved in U.S.; Marketed in the EU

PEGASYS® (pegylated interferon alfa-2a) is used for the treatment of hepatitis C, a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). It is a leading cause of cirrhosis and liver cancer and the number one reason for liver transplants in the United States.

Nektar provided its advanced PEG to link to Roche’s interferon alfa-2a to create PEGASYS (peginterferon alfa-2a) for hepatitis C patients. It is estimated that 3.9 million people in the U.S. are infected with the hepatitis C virus, which attacks the liver and can lead to cirrhosis and liver failure if left untreated. The previous standard therapy for hepatitis C, alpha-interferon, needed to be injected three times a week because of its short half-life.

Roche selected Nektar’s unique, branched PEG for PEGASYS. The Nektar PEG helps to shield the interferon from being destroyed by the patient’s immune system so it can last longer in the body. The result is a medication that now only needs to be administered once a week. In addition, in studies, PEGASYS in combination with ribavirin was shown to be more effective than interferon alfa-2a with ribavirin.

Nektar Advanced PEGylation technology helped enable Roche’s development of PEGASYS.

The above information should not be used as a source for prescribing information.

For a detailed case study of PEGASYS®, click here (pdf file).