Drug Development

Discovery, Development, Commercialization and Accelerated Use

Caleco Pharmaceuticals will continue pre-clinical work on its two lead compounds, CPC.12115HP201 and CPC.12115HP202 in 2010. Both compounds are derived from the Corporation’s proprietary “Liver Health” formulation.

Observational studies with the Corporation’s proprietary “Liver Health” herbal formulation in chronically infected HCV patients that had failed standard-of-care treatment provided the basis for ongoing research into the identification of drug candidates.

In vitro studies with CPC.12115HP201 provide support for biological activity mediated by a direct anti-viral mechanism. Several proprietary derivatives have shown significant HCV inhibition. With the anti-HCV activity profiles having been demonstrated in two bioassay systems, and considering the observed clinical effects of the parent herbal formulation, the Corporation believes continued preclinical development work is warranted.

Structurally, CPC.12115HP201 is an ideal lead compound for structural modification to produce more active candidates for drug development. The preclinical development program in 2010 will include the identification and synthetic structural modification of compounds derived from CPC.12115HP201.

Additional analysis of the “Liver Health” formulation fractions revealed a second drug development candidate, CPC.12115HP202 that also exhibits significant antiviral activity in vitro. Preclinical work with CPC.12115HP202 in 2010 will include additional anti-viral and cytotoxicity assays.