Idenix Lowers Drug Dosage In Trial

Idenix Pharmaceuticals Inc. (IDIX) lowered dosages of its hepatitis C treatment valopicitabine in its Phase IIb clinical trials after gastrointestinal side effects developed with higher dosages of the drug. Idenix stock plunged $5.68 to close at $14.57. Shares of Novaris AG (NVS), which developed valopicitabine with Idenix, edged up 25 cents to $55.70.