Safety and Biological Activity of InfraDure Biopump Secreting Sustained Interferon in HCV Patients

Phase I-II, Open Label, Uncontrolled, Dose Escalation Study of the Safety, Tolerability and Biologic Activity of the INFRADURE Biopump Secreting Sustained Interferon Alpha-2b (IFNα), in Combination With Oral Ribavirin for Genotype 3 Newly Diagnosed Hepatitis C Patients

This will be a Phase I-II, open-label, single center, uncontrolled, dose-escalation study. The trial will be conducted in Israel at the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center. All subjects will receive autologous InfraDure Biopump (micro-organ of dermis processed ex vivo transduced with genetic construct containing the gene for interferon)tissue implants intended to provide sustained production and delivery of therapeutic levels of INF for up to twenty four (24) weeks following INFRADURE Biopump implantation. Follow up will continue for a total of two years post INFRADURE Biopump implantation

Medgenics Inc. and Medgenics Medical Israel Ltd. are developing INFRADURE, an autologous dermal biopump capable of sustained secretion of therapeutic INF in the body, using a small tissue explant from the patient's own skin. The INFRADURE biopump is produced from a micro-organ (MO), typically measuring 30 mm in length and 1.5-2.5 mm diameter, which is harvested directly from the patient's dermis under local anesthesia. The micro-organ can be viably maintained ex-vivo for extended periods of time under standard culture conditions. INFRADURE Biopumps, produced by ex vivo transduction of MOs with Helper Dependent Adenoviral INF vectors (HDAd-INF), express and secrete INF. INFRADURE Biopump is monitored ex vivo prior to re-implantation, to attain true INF dosing. The INFRADURE Biopump is subsequently implanted subcutaneously back to the patient in order to provide continuous delivery of a known amount of INF. Each implanted autologous INFRADURE Biopump remains localized under the skin, and is accessible, so that if necessary, it can be removed or ablated at any time. The entire process from harvest to implantation requires 10-14 days

subcutaneous implantation of autologous dermis implant treated ex vivo with genetic vector carrying the gene for interferon alfa 2b

Viral load to be measured along the study expecting notable decrease in the viral load by week 24 post intervention

Inclusion Criteria: Signed patient consent form Genotype 3 chronic HCV with detectable HCV RNA No previous treatment for HCV infection Hepatitis B and human immunodeficiency virus negative at screening visit Able and willing to follow contraception requirements Screening laboratory values, test, and physical exam within acceptable ranges Exclusion Criteria: Current enrollment in another investigational device or drug study Anticipated inability to complete all clinic visits and comply with study procedures History of, or any current medical condition, which could impact the safety of the subject during the study Autoimmune hepatitis, suspected hepatocellular carcinoma, decompensated liver disease, or other known liver disease other than HCV Alcoholism or substance abuse with <6 documented months of sobriety Known allergy or sensitivity to interferons or ribavirin Any other condition that, in the opinion of the Investigator, would make the subject unsuitable for enrollment or could interfere with the subject participating in and completing the study