Hepatitis Central

The latest research & treatment news about Hepatitis C infection, diagnosis, symptoms and treatments.

Toray Developing Pegylated Interferon Beta for HCV

March 5, 2009

Printer-friendly version

Bookmark and Share

A Japanese firm is developing a pegylated version of interferon beta for those who do not respond to the conventional Hepatitis C therapy of ribavirin and interferon alpha.

JAPAN'S TORAY TESTING ALTERED INTERFERON FOR HEPATITIS C VIRUS

TOKYO, Feb 25, 2009 (AsiaPulse via COMTEX) -- TRYIY | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Toray Industries Inc. (TSE:3402) and a research team from the University of Tokyo have begun clinical trials on a modified form of interferon beta for treatment of hepatitis C.

This version of interferon beta is stabilized with PEG in a targeted manner to cloak the compound from the immune system. In tests using rabbits, unmodified interferon beta was eradicated from the blood in just a day, whereas Toray's PEG-modified interferon beta remained for six days. This suggests it might be possible to treat hepatitis C with weekly subcutaneous injections.

Tests in monkeys, mice and cultured human cells have confirmed the compound's safety, durability, and ability to inhibit the proliferation of the hepatitis C virus.

Over the past six months, Toray has conducted safety tests on 10 or so healthy subjects each given a single injection. And in the second half of this year, it will conduct tests giving subjects multiple injections. The firm expects to conduct clinical trials on actual patients infected with the hepatitis C virus starting in 2011. The goal is to file for approval of a new drug in 2015.

Toray is developing its PEG-modified interferon beta for hepatitis C patients who do not respond well to the conventional combination therapy of ribavirin and interferon alpha.

If the clinical trials produce good results, Toray will seek collaboration with pharmaceutical firms. The global market for hepatitis C drugs is worth roughly 200 billion yen.

(Nikkei)

---

URL for Article Source:
http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/2193625/

Posted by Editors at March 5, 2009 2:12 PM

Requirements for using and reposting articles

2 Comments

Becks Author Profile Page May 28, 2009 3:54 PM

Test comment from Adam!

Adamtest May 28, 2009 3:56 PM

Test comment 2!

Site Topics

  • Frequently Asked Questions

    Some of our most commonly asked questions and our answers to them.

  • HCV Symptoms

    You'll find links to a comprehensive symptoms list, as well as various studies and discussions about Hepatitis C symptoms.

  • Lab Tests

    What they are and what they mean. Helps you interpret & understand all the various hepatitis lab tests likely to be encountered.

  • Hepatitis C Genotypes

    Learn about Hepatitis C Genotypes and their variants.

  • Viral Load

    Provides detailed information on how to analyze and interpret viral load numbers as well as a link to a convenient Viral Load Chart.

  • What is...?

    Learn more about various Hepatitis C related topics, including HCV, Ascites, Biopsies, and much more.

  • HCV Medicines

    Numerous links to studies, info sheets, FAQs, and analysis of Ribavirin/Rebetron medicines.

  • Glossary

    Commonly used medical terms and definitions.

  • Hepatitis C Doctors

    A state-by-state and worldwide reference listing physicians who treat HCV, including an email link to submit your physician for inclusion.

  • Biopsy Info

    A comprehensive resource of information relating to the liver biopsy.

  • Cirrhosis

    Many discussions and analyses of cirrhosis, including causes, complications, pathology, symptoms, and much more.

  • Liver Cancer

    Liver Cancer/Hepatocellular Carcinoma studies, info sheets, FAQs, and analysis.

  • Liver Disease Medicines

    An exhaustive list of links to studies, info sheets, FAQs, and analysis of the various drugs used to treat liver disease.

  • Hep-Central Email List

    Sign up to learn about advances and breakthroughs in Hepatitis C research, including information about medical and complementary treatments.

  • HCV Links

    Convenient links to other sites external to Hepatitis-Central.

  • HCV Transmission

    Information about the transmission of Hepatitis C.

  • HCV Natural Remedies

    A number of herbal products useful in the management of liver disease.

  • HCV Books

    Recommended reading for those interested in hepatitis information.

  • Hepatitis C Forum

    A Bulletin Board for discussions on hepatitis, treatments, etc.

  • Hepatitis C Activism

    An easy way to get involved in urging our government to do more for Hepatitis C awareness and treatment research.

Advertisement