Roche discontinues highest dose in ITMN-191 trial

InterMune Inc. (NASDAQ:ITMN) fell $2.21 (16%) to $11.81 on Tuesday after it said partner Roche (SIX:ROG; OTCQX:RHHBY) discontinued the 900 mg ITMN-191 ( RG7227) plus standard of care (SOC) cohort in an ongoing Phase IIb trial to treat HCV after three patients experienced a Grade 4 elevation in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. The decision was based on a recommendation by an IDMC after a review of unblinded data from the trial, which has enrolled 175 patients to date. The remaining cohorts -- SOC Pegasys peginterferon alfa-2a and Copegus ribavirin; 300 mg ITMN-191 plus SOC; and 600 mg ITMN-191 plus SOC -- will continue unchanged. Rapid virologic response data are expected next quarter. ...