Proof-of-concept Study to Evaluate the Safety and Immunomodulatory Effects of SCV 07 as Monotherapy or in Combination With Ribavirin in Noncirrhotic Subjects With Chronic Hepatitis C Who Have Relapsed

Proof-of-concept Study to Evaluate the Safety and Immunomodulatory Effects of SCV 07 as Monotherapy or in Combination With Ribavirin in Noncirrhotic Subjects With Chronic Hepatitis C Who Have Relapsed

A Phase 2, Multicenter, Multidose, Open-Label Study to Evaluate the Safety and Immunomodulatory Effects of SCV-07 as Monotherapy or in Combination With Ribavirin in Noncirrhotic Subjects With Genotype 1 Chronic Hepatitis C Who Have Relapsed After a Response to a Course of at Least 44 Weeks Treatment With Pegylated Interferon and Ribavirin

SCV-07 (γ-D-glutamyl-L-tryptophan) is a new immunomodulatory compound that has been developed and patented both for composition and immunomodulatory use and is a synthetic dipeptide. The efficacy of SCV 07 in treating chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is expected to arise from the drug's ability to stimulate the T-helper 1 (Th1) type immune response and to block signal transducers and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) mediated signaling. The purpose of this study is to determine if SCV-07 alone and/or SCV-07 in combination with ribavirin is safe and potentially effective for the treatment of genotype 1 compensated chronic hepatitis C in subjects who have relapsed after a response to a previous treatment course of at least 44 weeks with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. All subjects will receive 4 weeks of SCV-07 (Lead-in Phase), followed by 4 weeks of treatment with SCV-07 in combination with ribavirin (Combination Treatment).

SCV-07 dosage will remain the same throughout the study for each cohort. Monotherapy Lead-in Phase Treatment (SCV-07) for 4 weeks. Combination Treatment (SCV-07 and ribavirin) for 4 weeks, following "Lead-in Phase". Re-treatment with peg INF and RBV will be offered in the "Follow-up" to patients who in the opinion of the investigator may benefit from treatment. All patients will have a total of 3 follow-up visits for safety assessments. Women of childbearing potential will be followed up monthly for approximately up to 6 months after the "end of treatment" visit. If pregnancy occurs within the follow-up period, it needs to be followed through 8 weeks after the end of pregnancy.

To assess the safety of SCV-07 at 2 dose levels given as a monotherapy and to assess the immunomodulatory effects of SCV-07 given at 2 dose levels for 4 weeks and in combination with ribavirin for 4 weeks after monotherapy, respectively.

To assess the pharmacodynamic effects of SCV 07 and the pharmacokinetics as a monotherapy and in combination with ribavirin

Inclusion Criteria: Adult subjects must have compensated liver disease Subjects must have a history of chronic hepatitis C (genotype 1), and must be relapsers Subject's HCV RNA viral load must be > or = 300,000 IU/mL Subjects must have documentation of a liver biopsy within the last 2 years Exclusion Criteria: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection or hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive Clinical evidence of cirrhosis Autoimmune hepatitis or other autoimmune/immune-active diseases Insulin-dependent diabetes