SCLN mentioned in the Aug.8, 2001 Forbes Magazine. Here is part:
"Some smaller biotechs hope to provide a third ingredient in a hep-C cocktail. For San
Mateo, Calif.-based SciClone the candidate is Zadaxin, an injected combo of interferon
and thymosin Alpha 1, a natural peptide that helps the body's immune system produce
virus-fighting T cells. Zadaxin has no serious side effects. A rival, Ceplene, from San
Diego-based Maxim Pharmaceuticals, is in late-stage tests.
" On its own, Zadaxin works wonders on hep-B though it showed little promise with
hep-C. But early data suggest that in combination with interferon and ribavirin, cure
rates for hep-C approach 60%. Zadaxin should have won U.S. approval by now, but
early trials by a previous licensee were poorly designed, forcing SciClone to extend
testing. Over the last seven years Chief Executive Donald Sellers, an ex-Green Beret,
has consolidated the global rights to Zadaxin for a scant $4 million. He put it through 70
clinical trials on 3,000 subjects worldwide and won approval in 24 countries. Last year
the drug brought in nearly all of SciClone's $15 million in revenue. Roche has thrown its
considerable weight behind SciClone, providing $20 million in free Pegasys to confirm
the results of cocktail tests. If approved in 2004, UBS Warburg estimates sales could
hit $200 million."
We might see a pop from this.
Rick |
