ZymoGenetics Begins Clinical Trial of Pegylated Interferon Lambda

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ZymoGenetics Begins Clinical Trial of Pegylated Interferon Lambda

Interferons are natural proteins that stimulate immune function, and

genetically engineered versions are used to treat diseases ranging

from chronic hepatitis B and C to certain types of cancer.

Given that the current standard therapy for chronic hepatitis C --

pegylated interferon-alpha (Pegasys or PegIntron) plus ribavirin --

is difficult to tolerate and does not produce a cure in a substantial

portion of patients, researchers have explored the use of other

varieties of interferon.

ZymoGenetics, Inc., a biotechnology company based in Seattle,

announced this week that it has started a study of pegylated (PEG)

interferon-lambda, also known as IL-29. Below is an edited excerpt of

the company's recent press release:

PEG-Interferon Lambda as Potential Treatment for Viral Infection

New Treatments Needed for Patients With Hepatitis C

SEATTLE, Jan. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ZymoGenetics, Inc. (Nasdaq:

ZGEN) today announced that the company has initiated a Phase 1 safety

and pharmacokinetic study of PEG-interferon lambda (IL-29) in healthy

volunteers. The Phase 1 study is part of a clinical development

program designed to evaluate PEG-interferon lambda as a potential

treatment for patients with hepatitis C and other viral diseases.

" This clinical trial highlights the breadth of our pipeline and

reflects our intense commitment to finding new treatments for

patients. ZymoGenetics' development programs now encompass

hemostasis, cancer, autoimmune and viral diseases, " said Bruce L.A.

, PhD, president and CEO of ZymoGenetics. " We believe PEG-

interferon lambda could serve as an effective alternative in

providing therapy for viral infections such as hepatitis C, with the

potential for fewer side effects than the current standard of care. "

The native human protein interferon lambda is generated by the immune

system in response to viral infection. It mediates anti-viral

activity through a receptor that is distinct from that used by

interferon alpha and is generally present on fewer cell types within

the tissues of the body. Receptors for interferon lambda are present

on several important sites of viral infection, most notably cells of

the lung and liver. ZymoGenetics' product candidate, recombinant PEG-

interferon lambda, has shown in vitro anti-viral activity against

several viruses, including hpatitis C.