Suvus®, especially when photo-sensitized by light, acts by preventing replication of nucleic acid (DNA and RNA) in pathogens. Investigator sponsored Phase II clinical trials have been completed in the Middle East to study Suvus'® use in treating hepatitis C virus infection. We announced interim results at the UBS Global Life Sciences Conference in New York in September 2005 and continue to monitor these data. Suvus ® was given to 25 patients with genotype 4 hepatitis C who had failed a prior treatment, including interferon in many of the patients. Sixteen (64%) of the patients had cirrhosis. Suvus® was given orally for 100 days and measurement of the viral load was made at 50 days. At 50 days, 22 (88%) patients had shown a reduction in viral load of greater than 70%. Of these responders, 14 (64%) had a clearance of greater than 90%, with four responders having complete viral clearance.

Seven of the 25 patients have had viral load measured at 100 days. Six of these patients show continued reduction in viral load and the seventh patient, who had been one of the three non-responders at 50 days, had a greater than 90% reduction in viral load. No major adverse events were noted.