On a Monday afternoon, Enzon Pharmaceuticals made an announcement that FDA Oncologic Drug Advisory Committee has voted in the favor of and has approved the use of Pegintron as a treatment in addition to surgery in patients with metastatic melanoma. The news of FDA approval has boosted Enzon Pharmaceuticals and even the shares of the company have moved upwards on the market charts. The drug Pegintron is currently being manufactured, marketed and developed by Schering-Plough. The product is currently being used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in patients over 18 years of age.

Enzon Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company that is dedicated to the development and commercialization of important life saving for patients who are suffering from cancer and other life threatening diseases. The FDA has approved that

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Earlier this month, Anadys Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ANDS) announced the commencement of dosing in a 12- week phase II trial with ANA598 in hepatitis C patients. ANA 598 will be evaluated in combination with interferon-alpha and ribavirin (current standard of care) in the mid-stage study. The study is expected to provide important data at the end of this year and in the first two quarters of 2010. A total of 90 patients are planned to be enrolled in the study, with 30 patients receiving ANA598 and 15 receiving placebo at each dose level. The study would test 200 mg and 400 mg doses of the drug. In order to maximize early viral suppression, each patient would receive two 800 mg doses on the first day. The study would be conducted at various sites in the U.S. Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) affects approximately 3.2 million people ...

Yesterday, Anadys Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ANDS) started a 12-week phase II trial of its ANA598 for hepatitis C patients. ANA 598 will be evaluated in combination with interferon-alpha and ribavirin (current standard of care) in the mid-stage study. Data from the trial is expected to be released at the end of this year and in the first two quarters of 2010.

A total of 90 patients are planned to be enrolled in the study, with 30 patients receiving ANA598 and 15 receiving placebo at each dose level. The study would test 200 mg and 400 mg doses of the drug. In order to maximize early viral suppression, each patient would receive two 800 mg doses on the first day. The study would be conducted at various sites in the U.S.

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) affects nearly 3.2 million people in the United States and about 170 million people

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HGSI: NDA for Albuferon Expected to be Filed This FallWaiting for 2 Phase III Results for BenlystaNDA filing for Albuferon is expected in the fall for Hepatitis C      Albuferon is a novel long-acting form of interferon alpha. Recombinant interferon alpha is approved for the treatment of hepatitis C, hepatitis B and a broad range of cancers. Human Genome Sciences Inc. (HGSI) modified interferon alpha to improve its pharmacological properties by using its albumin fusion technology.HGSI has an exclusive worldwide agreement with Novartis (NVS) for the development and commercialization of Albuferon. The two companies are developing Albuferon as a potential treatment for chronic hepatitis C (HCV). Under this agreement, ...

Amarillo Biosciences, Inc. announced this morning that clinical supplies were shipped to CytoPharm, Inc., its partner in Taiwan, for use in a study of 165 patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection. The objective of this trial is to reduce the virologic relapse rate for those patients who have taken high dose injectable interferon alpha and Ribavirin.

The trial’s start date is anticipated to occur in the second quarter of this year and to be completed next year. The patients participating in the study will receive one of two different dosages of oral human interferon alpha or placebo daily for 24 weeks, then receive no treatment for 24 weeks to observe for relapse.

Today, there are approximately 170 million people chronically infected with hepatitis C virus worldwide. The incidence of cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis C patients is 10-20%, and 1-5% develop liver cancer. Most infections are transmitted by direct

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Today before the opening bell, Anadys Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced positive results from the first cohort of an ongoing Phase Ib clinical trial of ANA598, the Company’s investigational non-nucleoside polymerase inhibitor. ANA598 demonstrated potent antiviral activity in patients infected with chronic Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and was very well-tolerated. The company anticipates reporting detailed data from multiple cohorts of the study at an upcoming medical conference.

James Freddo, M.D., Anadys’ Senior Vice President, Drug Development and Chief Medical Officer, stated, “We are very pleased with the antiviral activity and safety of ANA598 at this first dose tested in the Phase Ib study. We believe this early data continues to position ANA598 as a leading non-nucleoside polymerase inhibitor in development for the treatment of HCV and we look forward to investigating ANA598 in longer-term studies in combination with current standard of care.”

“The clinical and preclinical profile of ANA598 observed to date

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