Atea Pharmaceuticals reported third-quarter 2026 results alongside progress in its antiviral pipeline and a new financing arrangement. Its lead hepatitis C regimen, bemnifosbuvir/ruzasvir (BEM/RZR), met the main goals of a Phase 3 trial, while a second Phase 3 study is expected to report results in early 2027. The company also advanced an early-stage program for hepatitis E and secured access to as much as $200 million in non-dilutive funding from Hercules Capital.
Key details
- Hepatitis C trial met its endpoints: In the C-BEYOND Phase 3 trial, BEM/RZR was statistically non-inferior to Epclusa, an established treatment, in the main analysis and in secondary analyses, including the per-protocol analysis.
- Among 905 patients in the modified intent-to-treat analysis, 93.91% of those receiving BEM/RZR and 94.75% receiving Epclusa achieved a sustained virologic response at 24 weeks. The measure includes the accepted definition of cure: no detectable virus 12 weeks after treatment.
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Virologic failures were low and comparable between groups. BEM/RZR was generally well tolerated, with a safety profile comparable to Epclusa.
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A second Phase 3 HCV readout is due in early 2027: C-FORWARD is fully enrolled, with more than 880 patients across 17 countries outside North America. Atea expects the study to provide efficacy data across a broad range of HCV genotypes. The company is targeting a U.S. drug application submission for mid-2027, with C-FORWARD results expected to support that filing.
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Atea is positioning BEM/RZR around treatment convenience: The company says the regimen may offer high cure rates, a short treatment duration, low risk of drug interactions and no food effect. It argues these features could be useful for HCV patients taking medicines for other conditions. The company’s description of the regimen’s potential does not change its status: BEM/RZR remains investigational.
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Hepatitis E program moves into the next stage of Phase 1: Atea completed the single-ascending-dose portion of its study of AT-587 and is conducting the multiple-ascending-dose portion. The company anticipates a proof-of-concept study in 2027. It is developing AT-587 for chronic hepatitis E, particularly for people at risk of persistent infection, including some transplant recipients and other immunocompromised patients.
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Hercules Capital funding: Atea secured up to $200 million in non-dilutive funding from Hercules Capital. The announcement describes the amount available but does not provide further terms in the material presented here.
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Additional HCV research: Atea said an analysis from its Phase 2 study of an eight-week BEM/RZR regimen was published in September. The analysis examined the regimen’s effects at multiple stages of the hepatitis C virus life cycle.
What changes
C-BEYOND adds positive Phase 3 evidence that BEM/RZR performed comparably to Epclusa in the trial population. C-FORWARD remains an important next data point: Atea expects it to help establish the regimen’s performance across a broader range of virus genotypes and support its planned U.S. application. The company’s other clinical program is at an earlier stage, with proof-of-concept testing for AT-587 anticipated in 2027.