Atea Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: AVIR) presented Phase 1 results showing its hepatitis C virus treatment combination of bemnifosbuvir and ruzasvir has a low risk of drug-drug interactions. The data was presented at the European Association for the Study of the Liver Congress in Barcelona.

The Phase 1 study in 20 healthy adults showed the combination was safe and well-tolerated when administered with omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor commonly used by hepatitis C patients. Omeprazole at 20 mg did not affect plasma exposure to the drug combination, while a 40 mg dose only slightly reduced exposure.

A separate study evaluated interactions with digoxin and rosuvastatin in 18 healthy adults each. The combination slightly increased plasma exposure of both drugs but remained below clinically meaningful thresholds, indicating no dose adjustments would be needed for patients taking these medications.

Atea also presented preclinical data for AT-587, a potential treatment for hepatitis E virus. The compound showed 30 to 150-fold greater potency than sofosbuvir and ribavirin in laboratory studies. In infected gerbil models, AT-587 significantly reduced viral loads in fecal, liver and intestinal samples compared to controls.

The company stated approximately 80% of hepatitis C patients take multiple medications, making drug interactions a significant treatment concern. Atea plans to initiate clinical development of AT-587 for hepatitis E virus treatment in mid-2026.

The bemnifosbuvir and ruzasvir combination is currently being evaluated in Phase 3 trials for hepatitis C treatment. The company expects topline results from its C-BEYOND and C-FORWARD studies.