SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwire - Oct 1, 2012) - Alios BioPharma, Inc. today announced the discovery of first-in-class anti-RSV nucleoside analogs that will be developed for the treatment of acute RSV infection. Data from the company's discovery and preclinical studies were presented at the 8th Annual Respiratory Syncytial Virus Symposium held in Santa Fe, New Mexico from September 27-30. The company said the compounds were discovered by screening its proprietary nucleoside analog library against replicating RSV in cell culture. The Alios researchers reported that the compounds act by blocking the action of the RSV polymerase, resulting in potent antiviral activity against several commonly occurring RSV isolates including both the RSV A and B strains.

Leonid Beigelman, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of Alios BioPharma, said, "Nucleoside analogs have become the backbone of antiviral therapy in many clinical settings including the treatment of HIV, HBV and HSV. More recently, emerging data have been reported demonstrating the pivotal role nucleoside analogs will play in interferon-free regimens for the future treatment of chronic hepatitis C. We believe the Alios anti-RSV nucleoside analogs have the potential to make a significant impact on the treatment of RSV, an insidious disease affecting a substantial number of children by the age of two." 

"Treatment options for children with acute RSV infection are suboptimal. The discovery of anti-RSV nucleoside analogs by Alios represents an important step forward in the development of more effective treatments for this serious and life threatening disease," said Lawrence M. Blatt, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of Alios BioPharma. "The advancement of ALS-8176 for RSV into the clinic by Alios and the recently reported positive clinical data for ALS-2200 (VX-135), an anti-HCV nucleotide analog discovered by Alios and being developed in collaboration with Vertex, demonstrate the power of the Alios discovery platform."

Alios will advance ALS-8176, an orally administered nucleoside analog, into clinical development throughout 2013, including trials in RSV infected people.

About RSV
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which causes infection of the lungs and breathing passages, is a major cause of respiratory illness in young children. RSV is highly contagious and can be spread through droplets containing the virus when someone coughs or sneezes. It also can live on surfaces and on hands and clothing, so can be easily spread when a person touches something contaminated. In adults, the virus may only produce symptoms of a common cold, such as a stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, mild headache, cough, fever, and a general feeling of being ill. Increasingly, severe RSV infections have been found among elderly patients and immunocompromised populations. In premature babies and children with diseases that affect the lungs, heart, or immune system, RSV infections can lead to other more serious illnesses. Current treatment modalities are largely ineffective and new therapeutic regimens are urgently needed. 

About Alios BioPharma
Alios BioPharma, a privately held clinical stage biotechnology company located in South San Francisco, California, is developing novel medicines aimed at the treatment of viral diseases. In collaboration with Vertex Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [ VRTX ]), Alios is developing ALS-2200 (VX-135), a uridine nucleotide analog, for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. ALS-2200 (VX-135) is expected to enter Phase 2 all-oral clinical trials in Q4 2012. Alios has developed a novel proprietary nucleoside/tide library to identify therapeutics for the treatment of several viral infections including RSV, influenza, rhinovirus, and emerging viral diseases. Additionally, Alios is developing small molecule therapeutics that will complement its nucleoside/tide portfolio. The overall goal for the Alios therapeutic platform is to maximize patient benefits in areas of high unmet medical need through optimization of potency, safety and tolerability.