Vertex Again Key Player at Hep C Meeting

SAN FRANCISCO -- Every six months, hepatitis C researchers from around the world gather to discuss new ways of combating the serious liver disease. In recent years, these biannual confabs have largely revolved around the development of a new, more potent class of drug that promises to bring cures to a larger percentage of hepatitis C patients than ever before.

Like previous meetings, the one that kicked off over the weekend here will have scientists (and the Wall Street investors and analysts who follow their work closely) talking a lot about Vertex Pharmaceuticals'(VRTX Quote) drug telaprevir.

Data being presented will show once again telaprevir's impressive ability to directly interfere with and eliminate the virus that causes hepatitis C in patients who have failed previous treatments and in those who are being treated for the first time. ...