Turnabout

The firestorm over compassionate access that pushed Chimerix Inc. into studying brincidofovir in adenovirus last year already saved the life of Josh Hardy and may now prove to be the company's saving grace as well. After last week's failed Phase III trial in the lead indication of cytomegalovirus (CMV), adenovirus could be brincidofovir's fastest route to market.

Brincidofovir missed the primary endpoint of CMV infection rates in the Phase III SUPPRESS trial to prevent CMV infection in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). There also was a higher rate of mortality in the brincidofovir arm compared with placebo, a secondary endpoint...