Some folks are just really hard to impress ;-)

First, that "redorbit.com" article was written by someone who apparently has
no familiarity with HCV, it's treatment, and the jargon thereof. Using the
phrase "barely discernible levels" as somehow synonymous with "SVR" is a dead
giveaway of a clueless author, and perhaps lead you to your less than thrilled
conclusion.

So, you might consider reviewing the information provided at Vertex Pharm's
web site.

http://investors.vrtx.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=344629

Note that SVR12 results mean the patients remained undetectable - below the
test threshold of 10IU/ml (which isn't the most sensitive test available, but
it's damned close) - after 12 weeks from End-Of-Treatment of a >>> 24 week <<<
therapy regimen.

The cohort was entirely genotype 1 patients who were non-responders, partial
responders, relapsers and viral breakthroughs, on previous attempts to achieve
SVR. This is the hardest of the hard-core - G1s that failed treatment!

The first results table to appear in this article show SVR12 in 41% of
non-responders, 73% of relapsers, and 44% of breakthroughs.

Folks familiar with the evolution of anti-HCV therapies would be *highly*
impressed with these results - as well they should be. In my opinion, you're
damned skippy they're incredible!!

One can only imagine what the SVR12 results will be from a treatment-naive
cohort - but for sure it's going to be way higher than the current
standard-of-care!

Cheers

/greyhackles