Development Programs > Preclinical Development Programs > Hepatitis C Therapy

Hepatitis C Therapy

SD-101 is our hepatitis C therapy and is being evaluated in an ongoing Phase 1b clinical trial. This therapy utilizes a novel Type C Toll-like Receptor 9 (TLR9) agonist based on our second-generation immunostimulatory sequences (ISS) and may offer a more effective therapeutic option for patients chronically infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV).

We are developing SD-101through our Symphony Dynamo, Inc. funding agreement. Our hepatitis C therapy is designed to be a potential replacement for interferon alpha therapy and be used in combination with oral antiviral therapy to stop HCV viral replication and induce a long-lasting immune response.

Commercial Opportunity

According to the World Health Organization, there are over 170 million people worldwide chronically infected with HCV. Analysts estimate the worldwide market for HCV therapies will grow from approximately $3 billion in 2008 to over $10 billion by 2015. There is no vaccine available to prevent HCV, a disease of the liver that can lead to cirrhosis of the liver and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Current therapy consists of pegylated interferon alpha and the antiviral drug ribavirin and is effective in treating only half of all patients infected with HCV. This standard of care is significantly less effective in genotype 1 carriers, which represent 70% of all HCV carriers in the United States and Europe. In addition, treatment with these therapies can cause significant side effects, including severe depression and anemia. Products offering enhanced efficacy and safety profiles are anticipated to increase the number of patients seeking and continuing treatment.