Although only half over, 2011 already has been pivotal for hepatitis C drug development, with the launch of two paradigm-shifting protease inhibitors, Johnson & Johnson/Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s Incivek (telaprevir) and Merck & Co.'s Victrelis (boceprevir). Both hit the market in May, even as attention is now shifting to the next big advance in HCV. Based on its work on next-gen HCV treatment, Pharmasset, Inc. has captivated the investment community.

CRN’s request for clarification, as it continues litigating complaint in US District Court for Southern New York, highlights what it contends is vague and overly general language in the legislation passed in October with a 22 April effective date.

Sales of the company’s new drugs have a lot of growing to do to make up for older products’ declines, but Biogen highlighted signs of strength for new launches in its Q1 report.