SCICLONE +16% Neue Zulassung in USA! - 500 Beiträge pro Seite

[SCIQUEST]

SciClone Pharmaceuticals Granted U.S. Patent for the Use of ZADAXIN(R) To Treat Hepatitis B
SciClone Strengthens U.S. Patent Coverage Around its Lead Immunotherapy
SAN MATEO, Calif., June 6 /CNW/ -- SciClone Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: SCLN - news) today announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued a Notice of Allowance for use of the Company`s lead drug, ZADAXIN®, for the treatment of hepatitis B. ZADAXIN is the safe, synthetic preparation of thymosin alpha 1, a naturally occurring peptide that enhances the ability of the body`s immune system to fight and destroy cancerous and infected cells. ZADAXIN has been shown to be safe and effective in the treatment of multiple infectious diseases, including hepatitis B and hepatitis C, and several types of cancer.
"This patent reinforces our already strong U.S. intellectual property protection for ZADAXIN in treating viral hepatitis," said Donald R. Sellers, SciClone`s President and CEO. "There is a desperate, as yet unmet, clinical need for a safe and effective treatment for hepatitis B, a deadly virus carried by over one million Americans. We believe ZADAXIN will play a key role in treating hepatitis B in the U.S., a role it currently plays in numerous emerging markets worldwide."

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is 100 times more infectious than HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 350 million people worldwide are long-term carriers of HBV, including 1,200,000 Americans. The American Liver Foundation estimates that there are 140,000 new HBV infections in the U.S. each year and that one of every 20 people in the U.S. will be infected with HBV in their lifetime. Up to 40% of people with acute HBV infection show no symptoms. Many people chronically infected with HBV will progress to liver cirrhosis and liver failure, from which they will eventually die. People with chronic HBV infection have a 100 times greater chance of developing hepatocellular carcinoma than those not infected. Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most prevalent malignant disease in the world.

ZADAXIN has now been approved for sale in 20 countries, principally for the treatment of hepatitis B and hepatitis C and as a vaccine adjuvant for patients with weakened immune systems. It is presently in phase 2 clinical studies in the U.S. in combination with lamivudine for the treatment of hepatitis B. SciClone plans to initiate additional U.S. phase 2 ZADAXIN clinical programs in liver cancer, malignant melanoma and drug-resistant tuberculosis by the end of the year. Pivotal phase 3 ZADAXIN hepatitis B studies are currently ongoing in Japan. SciClone plans to start a pivotal phase 3 ZADAXIN hepatitis C trial in the U.S. by the end of the year, which trial will be complemented by a pivotal phase 3 hepatitis C trial in Europe to be conducted by Sigma-Tau S.p.A., SciClone`s European partner. ZADAXIN has been administered to over 3,000 subjects in over 70 clinical trials without serious drug related side effects.

SciClone Pharmaceuticals is a global specialty biopharmaceutical company that acquires, develops and commercializes novel medicines for the treatment of a broad range of the world`s most serious diseases. The Company is currently targeting cancer, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, drug-resistant tuberculosis and cystic fibrosis. Press releases and corporate information from SciClone Pharmaceuticals are available on the Internet at www.sciclone.com or by calling the Company`s Investor Relations Department at 800-724-2566. SciClone`s Common Stock is listed on The Nasdaq National Market® under the symbol SCLN.

The information in this press release includes certain forward-looking statements concerning the Company`s current expectations regarding future events. This includes, the ongoing and prospective development and commercialization of ZADAXIN for hepatitis B in the United States, the potential for success of the Company`s U.S. ZADAXIN phase 2 study for hepatitis B and the timing of initiation of the Company`s planned ZADAXIN clinical trials in hepatitis C, liver cancer, malignant melanoma and drug-resistant tuberculosis. Due to market factors and the nature of product development and the regulatory approval process, the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are subject to risks and uncertainties, including those reflected in the Company`s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, particularly its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999.

[Hookipa]

Patentiert, noch nicht zugelassen. Phase 2 klinischer Prüfung. Wird wohl noch mind. 2 Jahre dauern bis zur Zulassung. Allerdings bereits in 20 anderen Ländern zugelassen und verkauft. Riesen Potential. Im moment noch sehr beeinflusst von Daytradern (gestern 1.5 Mill. Aktien gehandelt. Sollte allerdings die Zulassung in den USA oder EU erfolgen kann sich der Wert locker verzehnfachen. Aber bitte Gedult. Wird ja hier in Deutschland kaum gehandelt.

[SCIQUEST]

sorry, muß heißen. "Neue Patentierung in USA"