Safety, Tolerability and Efficacy of XTL 2125 in HCV-Infected Patients Who Are Interferon-Alpha Non-Responders or Relapsers

Inclusion Criteria: Patients must understand and be willing to give written informed consent prior to any study procedures or evaluations and be willing to adhere to all study schedules and requirements. Adults 18 to 70 years of age. Documented history of positive HCV serology. Compensated liver disease as defined by the following at screening: PT greater or equal to 60%, INR < 1.5, serum albumin greater or equal 3.4 g%, and serum bilirubin < 2 mg% (unless dx of Gilbert's Syndrome). Serum HCV RNA greater or equal 100,000 IU/mL at screening. Patients who were treated and did not respond to IFN-alpha therapy or who withdrew from this therapy within 30 days prior to screening. Patients who had completed a fully prescribed course of an approved IFN alpha -based treatment and relapsed following the end of the treatment. Patients must be sterile or infertile or use an approved method of contraception from the time that the first dose of study medication is taken until three months following study completion or discontinuation. Screening labs as follows: platelet count greater or equal 120,000/mm3; ANC greater or equal 1000/mm3; hemoglobin greater or equal 11.0 g/dL for females and greater or equal 12.0 g/dL for males; serum ALT within normal limits or < 5 x ULN. Alpha fetoprotein <25 microg/L at screening. Exclusion Criteria: Any history of significant cardiac, renal, neurologic, metabolic, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, hematologic abnormality, chronic hepatic disease other than hepatitis C or any other disease which in the judgment of the investigator would interfere with the study or confound the results. Patients with positive HIV serology or positive HBsAg at screening. Patients who were not treated previously with the current approved therapy against HCV. Patients who have received any previous treatment for HCV infection other than an approved regimen of IFN alpha and ribavirin within 30 days prior to screening. Patients with decompensated liver disease or evidence of advanced liver disease such as the presence of ascites, bleeding varices or hepatic encephalopathy. Female patients who are breastfeeding or have a positive pregnancy test at screening or at any time during the study. History of alcohol or drug abuse within 6 months of screening. Patients who have a positive urine drug screen for substances of abuse (benzodiazepine, THC, opiates, amphetamines, cocaine) at the screening. Patients with poor venous access History or evidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Use of prescription or non-prescription drugs that are known to be metabolized in the liver and can potentially interfere with the study medication (such as Marcolide antibiotics, azole antifungals, warfarin, carbamazepine, cyclosporine, midazolam, phenytoin, valporic acid, chlorpromazine, rifampin, quinidine, diazepam and digoxin) 90 days prior to screening.