Within weeks of receiving US FDA approval for its oral hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease inhibitor Incivek™ (telaprevir), Vertex Pharmaceuticals has licensed global rights to two preclinical-stage nucleotide analogues, ALS-2200 and ALS-2158, from Alios BioPharma in a deal potentially worth more than US$1.5 B. Through the development of new drug combinations, Alios’ HCV drug candidates are expected to extend the commercial life of Incivek and thus boost Vertex’s HCV franchise. They could also form part of the first all-oral treatment regimen for HCV infection.