Furthermore, Zadaxin did not add any toxicity to that already known to be associated with alpha interferon. The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 350 million people worldwide are long-term carriers of HBV, including 1,200,000 Americans. The American Liver Foundation estimates that there are 140,000 new HBV infections in the U.S. each year and that one of every 20 people in the U.S. will be infected with HBV in their lifetime. Many people chronically infected with HBV will progress to liver cirrhosis and liver failure, from which they will eventually die. People with chronic HBV infection have a 100 times greater chance of developing hepatocellular carcinoma than those not infected.
Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most prevalent malignant diseases in the world.
SciClone Pharmaceuticals is a global specialty pharmaceutical company that develops and commercializes novel medicines for treating a broad range of the world's most serious diseases. The Company has focused its current product development and commercialization activities on hepatitis C, liver cancer, malignant melanoma, hepatitis B, HIV, drug-resistant tuberculosis and cystic fibrosis. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ from those stated in this release. These risks and uncertainties include the possibility that trial results do not accurately predict results in broader patient populations, unexpected adverse results to patients during the trials and programs, and other unexpected delays or other events that could prolong the studies or result in unanticipated expense. Additional risks and uncertainties include those reflected in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, particularly the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000.