LG develops next-generation hepatitis-B drug

[Guest guest]

LG develops next-generation hepatitis-B drug

Recent clinical trials have shown that a new vaccine developed by LG Life

Sciences Ltd. effectively reduces the hepatitis-B virus in patients with the

disease and caused no apparent side effects even after large dosages,

according to the makers.

The pharmaceutical division of LG Group said in a news release yesterday

that it recently completed early-stage, second-phase clinical trials of the

hepatitis B drug, labeled LB80380, in Hong Kong. The results were presented

on the same day at the annual meeting of Frontiers in Drug Development for

Viral Hepatitis in the United States.

The tests revealed that the new vaccine is more than five times more

effective, and is less toxic, than existing treatments, the company said.

Furthermore, it effectively curbed the growth of resistant germs and

prevented the recurrence of hepatitis B after stopping medication.

LG Life Sciences started developing the vaccine in 1998 and successfully

completed first-phase clinical tests of the drug in England in October last

year. The early-stage, second-phase tests began in July this year.

The team plans to enter late-stage, second-phase clinical trials with

chronic hepatitis B patients around the world next year.

LG hopes to launch the next-generation medicine in 2007 on foreign markets

such as China, which is predicted to have the largest demand.

(spring@...)

By Seo Ji-eun

2003.12.18

http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/site/data/html_dir/2003/12/18/200312180056.asp?kpag\

e=7 & kppage=0 & scode=FB & art_id%22=

[Guest guest]

LG develops next-generation hepatitis-B drug

Recent clinical trials have shown that a new vaccine developed by LG Life

Sciences Ltd. effectively reduces the hepatitis-B virus in patients with the

disease and caused no apparent side effects even after large dosages,

according to the makers.

The pharmaceutical division of LG Group said in a news release yesterday

that it recently completed early-stage, second-phase clinical trials of the

hepatitis B drug, labeled LB80380, in Hong Kong. The results were presented

on the same day at the annual meeting of Frontiers in Drug Development for

Viral Hepatitis in the United States.

The tests revealed that the new vaccine is more than five times more

effective, and is less toxic, than existing treatments, the company said.

Furthermore, it effectively curbed the growth of resistant germs and

prevented the recurrence of hepatitis B after stopping medication.

LG Life Sciences started developing the vaccine in 1998 and successfully

completed first-phase clinical tests of the drug in England in October last

year. The early-stage, second-phase tests began in July this year.

The team plans to enter late-stage, second-phase clinical trials with

chronic hepatitis B patients around the world next year.

LG hopes to launch the next-generation medicine in 2007 on foreign markets

such as China, which is predicted to have the largest demand.

(spring@...)

By Seo Ji-eun

2003.12.18

http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/site/data/html_dir/2003/12/18/200312180056.asp?kpag\

e=7 & kppage=0 & scode=FB & art_id%22=