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pegylated interferon alfa-2b

Phase 3

Hepatitis B, Chronic (CHB) | Monoclonal antibody | Infectious Disease |Merck & Company, Inc.|Last Updated: Aug 23, 2018

Target and mechanism

ModalityMonoclonal antibody

Also known as Pegylated interferon alfa-2b (PegIntron), Pegylated interferon alfa-2b (SCH 54031)

Success Probability

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Market & Valuation

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Trial Design

RandomizedACTIVE_CONTROLLED
Total Trials1
Total Enrollment25

FDA Designations

No designations recorded

Clinical trial landscape

pegylated interferon alfa-2b · 5 trials · 6 indications

Phase 3 4Phase 2 1
NCT00371761PegIntron Versus Adefovir in the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B (CHB) e Antigen Positive Patients in Taiwan (P04498/MK-4031-278)Hepatitis B, Chronic (CHB)
COMPLETED25 Analytics
NCT00378599Effects of Pegylated Interferon Alfa-2b and Ribavirin After Orthotopic Liver Transplantation in Subjects With Chronic Hepatitis C Recurrence (P04590AM3)(COMPLETED)Liver Transplantation
COMPLETED125 Analytics
NCT00265395Extended Treatment With PEG-Intron® and Rebetol® in Patients With Genotype 1 Chronic Hepatitis C and Slow Virologic Response (Study P03685)Hepatitis C, Chronic
COMPLETED1,428 Analytics
NCT00686517Evaluation of Peginterferon Alfa-2b Monotherapy and Combination With Ribavirin in Participants With Acute Hepatitis C (P03552/MK-4031-137)Hepatitis C
COMPLETED130 Analytics
PHASE3COMPLETED
PegIntron Versus Adefovir in the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B (CHB) e Antigen Positive Patients in Taiwan (P04498/MK-4031-278)
Hepatitis B, Chronic (CHB)Unlock trial analytics
PHASE3COMPLETED
Effects of Pegylated Interferon Alfa-2b and Ribavirin After Orthotopic Liver Transplantation in Subjects With Chronic Hepatitis C Recurrence (P04590AM3)(COMPLETED)
Liver TransplantationUnlock trial analytics
PHASE3COMPLETED
Extended Treatment With PEG-Intron® and Rebetol® in Patients With Genotype 1 Chronic Hepatitis C and Slow Virologic Response (Study P03685)
Hepatitis C, ChronicUnlock trial analytics
PHASE3COMPLETED
Evaluation of Peginterferon Alfa-2b Monotherapy and Combination With Ribavirin in Participants With Acute Hepatitis C (P03552/MK-4031-137)
Hepatitis CUnlock trial analytics

Study Endpoints

Primary Endpoints

Number of Participants With a Combined Response Consisting of All Three Responses - (a) Serological Response, (b) Virological Response, and (c) Biochemical Response
At Week 72 [for Pegylated interferon alfa-2b (PegIntron), at 48 weeks post PegIntron treatment for up to 24 weeks; for Adefovir, at 24 weeks post adefovir treatment for up to 48 weeks]

1. Serological response is defined as Loss of HBeAg (Hepatitis B e antigen) and Appearance of anti-HBe (Hepatitis B e antibodies); participant is HBeAg negative and anti-HBe positive. 2. Virological response was defined as having \< 10\^5 copies/mL of serum HBV DNA (Hepatitis B Virus Deoxyribonucleic Acid) by real-time PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction). 3. Biochemical response was defined as acheiving normal levels of ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase) level in Units/L.

A Sustained Virologic Response (SVR), Defined as a Plasma HCV RNA Level Below the Lower Level of Quantitation (LLQ) at 24 Weeks Post-treatment
24 weeks after completion of up to 48 weeks of therapy

Number of participants with SVR at 24-week follow up after treatment with PEG-Intron and Ribavirin in post-orthotopic liver transplant recipients with recurrent HCV.

Sustained Virologic Response, Defined as a Plasma HCV-RNA (Hepatitis C Ribonucleic Acid) Level Below the LLQ (Lower Level of Quantitation) at 24 Weeks Post-treatment.
48 or 72 weeks of treatment plus 24 weeks of follow-up.

LLQ = 30 IU/mL by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) (Taqman Roche)

Number of Participants With Sustained Response (SR) at the End of the 6-month Follow-up Period
Evaluated at the end of 6 months

SR was defined as serum Hepatitis C Virus (HCV RNA) level at the end of 6-month follow-up below 15 IU/mL.

Percentage of Participants Experiencing Adverse Events (AEs)
From first dose through follow-up; up to 13 months

An adverse event was any unfavorable and unintended change in the structure, function, or chemistry of the body whether or not considered related to the study treatment.

Percentage of Participants Discontinuing Study Drug Because of AEs
From first dose to last dose of treatment; up to 12 months

An adverse event was any unfavorable and unintended change in the structure, function, or chemistry of the body whether or not considered related to the study treatment.

Secondary Endpoints

Virologic Response at the End of Treatment Follow-up (ETR)
At the end of treatment (either 12 weeks or 24 weeks depending on randomization).
Virologic Response at 12 Months Post-treatment Follow-up (Long-term Response, [LTR]).
At 12 months post-treatment (treatment period either 12 weeks or 24 weeks depending on randomization).
Number of Participants Presenting With Alanine Transferase (ALT) Level Normalization
Evaluated at end of treatment (either 12 weeks or 24 weeks, depending on randomization), at 6-month follow-up visit, or at 12-month follow-up visit.
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Study Design & Arms

AllocationRANDOMIZED
MaskingNONE
ModelPARALLEL
PurposeTREATMENT

Treatment Arms

ArmTypeDescription
PegIntronEXPERIMENTALPegIntron, 1.5 micrograms/kg weekly, for up to 24 weeks followed by a 48-week observation phase
AdefovirACTIVE_COMPARATORAdefovir, 10 mg daily, for up to 48 weeks followed by a 24-week observation phase
PEG-Intron plus Rebetol (RBV)EXPERIMENTALPEG-Intron plus RBV treatment for up to 48 weeks with 24-week follow up. SCH 54031 PEG-Intron 1.5 ug/kg SC per week plus SCH 18908 REBETOL twice daily (BID) PO with food, dosed as followed: Weeks 1 and 2, RBV Dose 400 mg (2 capsules, 1 AM and 1 PM). At the end of Weeks 2 and 4 of Treatment (tx), a complete blood count (CBC) was performed. An increase in RBV dose was permitted only if the hemoglobin was \>10 g/dL. At Weeks 3 and 4, RBV dose was 800 mg (4 capsules, 2 AM and 2 PM). From Weeks 5 to 48, RBV doses could be increased based on subject body weight. For subjects weighing \<65 kg, maximum dose of RBV was to be 800 mg (4 capsules, 2 AM and 2 PM), for subjects weighing 65-85 kg, max dose of RBV was 1000 mg/day (5 capsules, 2 AM and 3 PM), for subjects weighing \>85 kg, max dose of RBV was 1200 mg/day, 6 capsules, 3 AM and 3 PM).
Standard therapyACTIVE_COMPARATORSlow responders (defined as being polymerase chain reaction \[PCR\] positive at Week 12 with at least 2 log reduction in viral load and PCR negative at Week 24) who are randomized at Week 48 to stop treatment at Week 48.
Extended therapyEXPERIMENTALSlow responders (defined as being PCR positive at Week 12 with at least 2 log reduction in viral load and PCR negative at Week 24) who are randomized at Week 48 to continue treatment to Week 72.
PEG-IFN 24EXPERIMENTALpegylated interferon alpha-2b 1.5 ug/kg/week for 24 weeks
PEG-IFN 12EXPERIMENTALpegylated interferon alpha-2b 1.5 ug/kg/week for 12 weeks
PEG-IFN + RVB 12EXPERIMENTALpegylated interferon alpha-2b 1.5 ug/kg/week in combination with ribavirin at the dose of 10.6 mg/kg/day for 12 weeks
PEG-IFNEXPERIMENTAL6.0 μg/kg/week subcutaneous administration during the Induction Phase of 8 weeks followed by a dose of 3.0 μg/kg/week subcutaneous administration in the Maintenance Period (Week 8 to Month 12)

Interventions

NameTypeDescription
Pegylated interferon alfa-2b (PegIntron)BIOLOGICALPowder for injection in vials ( 100, and 120 microgram strengths), subcutaneous, dose of 1.5 micrograms/kg, weekly for up to 24 weeks
Adefovir dipivoxil (adefovir)DRUG10 mg adefovir dipivoxil (equivalent to 5.4.5 mg adefovir) tablets, oral, dose of 1 tablet per day for up to 48 weeks
Combination of (a) pegylated interferon alfa-2b and (b) rebetolDRUG1. Powder for injection in vials and Redipen (50, 80, 120, and 150 microgram strengths), subcutaneous, dose of 1.5 micrograms/kg, weekly for up to 48 weeks 2. 200 mg capsules, oral, weight based dose of 400-1200 mg, daily for up to 48 weeks
Combination of pegylated interferon alfa-2b (PEG-Intron®) and ribavirin (Rebetol®)DRUG1. Powder for injection in vial or Redipen (50, 80, 100, 120, and 150 microgram strengths), subcutaneous, dose of 1.5 micrograms/kg, weekly for 48 weeks 2. 200 mg capsules, oral, weight based dose of 800-1400 mg, daily for 48 weeks
Combination of pegylated interferon alfa-2b and ribavirinDRUG1. Powder for injection in vial or Redipen (50, 80, 100, 120, and 150 microgram strength), subcutaneous, dose of 1.5 micrograms/kg, weekly for 72 weeks. 2. 200 mg capsules, oral, weight based dose of 800-1400 mg, daily for 72 weeks
Pegylated interferon alfa-2bBIOLOGICAL1.5 ug/kg/week SC for 12 or 24 weeks
RibavirinDRUGRibavirin at the dose of 10.6 mg/kg/day for 12 weeks
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Eligibility Criteria

Age Range18 Years to 70 Years
SexALL
Healthy VolunteersNo

Inclusion Criteria: * Adult male or female, 18 to 70 years of age. * Documented positive serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) for a minimum of 6 months prior to randomization. * Hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication and hepatitis documented by: * Serum HBV DNA (Hepatitis B Virus Deoxyribonucl...

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Frequently asked questions about pegylated interferon alfa-2b

What is Pegylated Interferon Alfa-2b used for?

Pegylated Interferon Alfa-2b is used for the treatment of Hepatitis C, Chronic Hepatitis B (CHB), and Melanoma. It is being developed by Merck & Company, Inc. (MRK) and is currently in Phase 2 clinical development for these indications.

What does Pegylated Interferon Alfa-2b target?

Pegylated Interferon Alfa-2b is a pegylated form of interferon alfa-2b, which works by modulating the immune system to fight viral infections and certain cancers. It is not a monoclonal antibody, despite being listed under that modality, and its specific molecular target is not detailed.

Who makes Pegylated Interferon Alfa-2b?

Pegylated Interferon Alfa-2b is developed by Merck & Company, Inc., which trades under the ticker symbol MRK. The company is conducting clinical trials to evaluate the drug's safety and efficacy in Hepatitis C, Chronic Hepatitis B, and Melanoma.

What phase is Pegylated Interferon Alfa-2b in?

Pegylated Interferon Alfa-2b is in Phase 2 clinical development. It has completed one Phase 2 trial in Melanoma, as well as two Phase 3 trials in Hepatitis C and Chronic Hepatitis B. The drug is investigational and not yet approved for any indication.

What clinical trials is Pegylated Interferon Alfa-2b in?

Pegylated Interferon Alfa-2b has been studied in three completed trials: NCT00371761 in Chronic Hepatitis B, NCT00686517 in Hepatitis C, and NCT02155322 in Melanoma. The trials enrolled a total of 130 participants, with the Melanoma study being a Phase 2 trial.

Is Pegylated Interferon Alfa-2b the same as PegIntron?

Yes, Pegylated Interferon Alfa-2b is also known as PegIntron, as indicated by the trial title NCT00371761. This alternative name is used in clinical research and medical literature to refer to the same drug product.