OctoPlus initiates Locteron Phase II clinical study in chronic hepatitis C

01-Feb-2007

OctoPlus N.V. announced the commencement of a Phase IIa study with LocteronTM, its controlled release formulation of alfa interferon for treatment of chronic hepatitis C. The Phase IIa study is designed to evaluate Locteron in combination with the anti-viral drug ribavirin in previously untreated chronic hepatitis C patients. Recruitment of patients is ongoing and dosing has started.

Locteron is designed to be a best-in-class therapeutic for patients with chronic hepatitis C, with the potential to induce less side effects, improve patient compliance and provide a more convenient once every two week dosing schedule compared with current therapies. Results from the Phase I study, which was completed in April last year, showed that Locteron is both safe and successful in producing a gradual release over two weeks of alfa interferon after a single injection.

Locteron combines OctoPlus' proprietary PolyActive(TM) drug delivery technology with BLX-883, a recombinant alfa interferon produced by OctoPlus' co-development partner Biolex Therapeutics in its patented LEX SystemSM. Locteron is produced in OctoPlus' cGMP manufacturing facilities in Leiden, the Netherlands.

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