Clinical Program Expansion and Global Reach

Atea Pharmaceuticals announced a significant milestone in its ongoing Phase 3 clinical development program for the investigational hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapy, dosing the first patient in the multinational C-FORWARD trial outside North America. This trial is a critical component of Atea’s global strategy to evaluate safety and efficacy across diverse populations infected with all major HCV genotypes.

James Sapirstein, CEO of Atea Pharmaceuticals, stated, “Dosing patients in C-FORWARD internationally marks a pivotal step forward in demonstrating the global applicability of our regimen. We remain focused on advancing a next-generation all-oral therapy that can overcome resistance and treatment gaps present with existing options.”

Scientific and Clinical Details

The C-FORWARD study evaluates a fixed-dose combination including Atea’s nucleotide polymerase inhibitor designed for a high barrier to resistance and potent pan-genotypic activity. Earlier Phase 2 data demonstrated rapid viral load reductions and high sustained virologic response (SVR) rates. The Phase 3 program combines C-FORWARD with C-SWIFT, which enrolled patients in the U.S. and Canada.

Dr. Laura Chen, Chief Medical Officer, noted, “These trials are designed to confirm the superior potency and tolerability of our regimen, aiming to simplify treatment protocols and improve patient adherence globally.”

Industry and Market Implications

HCV remains a significant global health challenge, with many patients underserved due to resistant strains or treatment complexity. Atea’s all-oral combination aims to address these limitations, potentially enhancing cure rates worldwide.

Forward-Looking Plans

Atea anticipates reporting interim Phase 3 data in late 2025 and intends to pursue regulatory filings based on combined datasets. The company continues exploring partnerships for broader geographic reach and access expansion.