Bristol-Myers Squibb Korea said Monday that it has presented study findings from a SAINT trial, which looked at the long-term safety of its hepatitis B therapies Baraclude (ingredient: entecavir) and Viread (ingredient: tenofovir disoproxil) in treatment-naive patients.

BMS Korea conducted the study to test renal toxicity in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (CHB) infection patients who had no previous treatment history.

The trial, which lasted from 2012 to 2015, showed creatinine levels to be similar between Baraclude and Viread groups ((ETV 0.82 mg/dL vs. TDF 0.81 mg/dL).

Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) levels were also found to be lower in the Baraclude group. At 24 weeks, the entecavir treatment group saw a statistically smaller eGFR change compared to those taking tenovoir.

“This research confirmed the safety of the new effects of Baraclude and served as evidence for Baraclude to be prescribed in an actual clinical setting based on the patient’s age, comorbidities, and other medications being taken,” said Professor Jun Dae-won from Hanyang University Medical Center, Department of Gastroenterology.

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