Don't miss this stimulating and thought-provoking evening as a renowned faculty panel—led by Ira Jacobson, MD—will shape their experience and the latest research data into presentations that clarify the state of the science. Moderating this symposium is Ira Flatow, host of Talk of the Nation: Science Friday^® on National Public Radio, who will practice his notable art of transforming science into discussion. The result: science made useable, complexity made manageable.

This CME activity is designed for gastroenterologists, hepatologists, and other clinicians who treat patients with HCV infection.

The goal of this CME activity is to present state-of-the-science, clinically relevant information that will provide clinicians with new insights into managing hepatitis C infection, including scope of disease burden, goals of therapy, barriers to treatment and response, and potential role of emerging specifically-targeted antiviral therapies for HCV.

• Evaluate standard-of-care therapies and their shortcomings in the treatment and management of HCV infection in order to optimize viral eradication in HCV-infected patients, thereby reducing disease burden.

• Identify factors associated with nonresponse, null response, and relapse in patients receiving anti-HCV treatment in order to select and apply strategies that improve treatment response.


• Assess the potential of emerging HCV therapeutic strategies for improving treatment response and outcomes in HCV-infected patients by analyzing preliminary efficacy and safety data of the protease and polymerase inhibitors.

Statement of Accreditation
Projects In Knowledge^® is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation
Projects In Knowledge designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

The Disclosure Policy of Projects In Knowledge requires that presenters comply with the Standards for Commercial Support. All faculty are required to disclose any personal interest or relationship they or their spouse/partner have with the supporters of this activity or any commercial interest that is discussed in their presentation. Any discussions of unlabeled/unapproved uses of drugs or devices will also be disclosed in the course materials.

For complete prescribing information on the products discussed during this CME activity, please see your current Physicians’ Desk Reference (PDR).

Hashem B. El-Serag, MD, MPH, has received grant/research support from AstraZeneca and Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals Corporation; is a consultant for Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; and is on the advisory boards of AstraZeneca and Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Ira Flatow has no significant relationships to disclose.

Ira M. Jacobson, MD, has received grant/research support from Coley Pharmaceuticals, Gilead Sciences, Inc, GlobeImmune, Human Genome Sciences, Idenix Pharmaceuticals, InterMune Inc, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Schering-Plough Corporation, Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, and Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc; is a consultant for Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Coley Pharmaceuticals, Dynavax Technologies Corporation, Gilead Sciences, Inc, GlaxoSmithKline, GlobeImmune, Human Genome Sciences, Idenix Pharmaceuticals, InterMune Inc, Merck & Co, Inc, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Nucleonics Inc, Pfizer Inc, Pharmasset Pharmaceuticals Inc, Schering-Plough Corporation, Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, and Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc; and is on the speakers bureaus of Bristol-Myers Squibb, Gilead Sciences, Inc, Idenix Pharmaceuticals, and Schering-Plough Corporation. Dr. Jacobson will be discussing novel treatments for HCV, some or all of which may be unlabeled or unapproved for use in the treatment of patients with HCV.

Fred Poordad, MD, has received grant/research support from Bristol-Myers Squibb, GlaxoSmithKline, Human Genome Sciences, Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Roche Pharmaceuticals, Schering-Plough Corporation, Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, and Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; is a consultant for Gilead Sciences, Inc, Roche Pharmaceuticals, Schering-Plough Corporation, and Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; is on the speakers bureau of Gilead Sciences, Inc and Schering-Plough Corporation; and is on the advisory boards of Gilead Sciences, Inc, Roche Pharmaceuticals, Schering-Plough Corporation, and Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Dr. Poordad will be referencing unlabeled/unapproved uses of peginterferon (alfa-2a and -2b), ribavirin, consensus interferon, and colchicine.

Zobair M. Younossi, MD, MPH, has received grant/research support from Axcan Pharma, Idenix Pharmaceuticals, Roche Pharmaceuticals, Schering-Plough Corporation, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc, and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals.

Nancy Nordenson, Content Editor, has no significant relationships to disclose.

Peer Reviewer has no significant relationships to disclose.

Projects In Knowledge’s staff members have no significant relationships to disclose.

Conflicts of interest are thoroughly vetted by the Executive Committee of Projects In Knowledge. All conflicts are resolved prior to the beginning of the activity by the Trust In Knowledge peer review process.

The opinions expressed in this activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily reflect those of Projects In Knowledge.

This CME activity is provided by Projects In Knowledge solely as an educational service. Specific patient care decisions are the responsibility of the physician caring for the patient.

This independent CME activity is supported by an educational grant from Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated.

Projects In Knowledge is a registered trademark of Projects In Knowledge, Inc.

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