The compound, SCV-07, has potential ability to fight viral infectious diseases and has demonstrated immunomodulatory activity by increasing T-cell differentiation and function, biological processes that are necessary for the body to fight off infection.
Recently, SCV-07 was shown to interact with Toll-like Receptors (TLRs) of the innate immune system. Data from a phase I trial showed that SCV-07 taken orally was safe and led to circulating plasma concentrations similar to those obtained in previous phase I studies using a subcutaneous injection of SCV-07.
The phase II trial will be initiated in the second quarter of 2007. The company is also evaluating this compound in a variety of animal models of disease and will report the results of these studies in the third quarter.
SciClone acquired exclusive worldwide rights, outside of Russia, to SCV-07 from biotechnology company Verta.