Botanicals as Antiviral and Hepatoprotective Compounds for Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Introduction Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the several viruses that cause hepatitis, i.e., inflammation of the liver. The infection is usually chronic, and results in fibrosis, cirrhosis
(scarring of the liver) and sometimes liver cancer. Interferon-alpha (IFN-α) based treatments, the only FDA approved therapies for chronic hepatitis C, are expensive, have significant side effects and fail to cure about half of all infections. A cost-effective, safe and well tolerated alternative to IFN-α is necessary. Technology description Dr Stephen Polyak’s laboratory has identified Silymarin derived flavonolignans with both antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects against Hepatitis C virus infection. Highlystandardized preparations of these components are useful for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment or prevention of HCV infection and inflammation. When combined with IFN-α, these preparations inhibit HCV replication more than IFN-α alone. Business Opportunity It is estimated that about 4 million people in the United States are infected with hepatitis C, which is about 2% of the population. This number is expected to increase to 10.8 million in the next 10 to 12 years. Each year, there are about 35,000 cases of acute hepatitis C. The market to treat Hepatitis C Virus will grow by nearly five-fold during the next decade, increasing from approximately US$ 2 billion in 2007 to more than US$ 10 billion in 2017 in the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom and Japan. Intellectual property position U.S. patent protection is pending. Related Publication(s)
Gastroenterology. 2007 May;132(5):1925-36.

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