Amarillo Biosci implements trial to allow US FDA approval of low-dose interferon

US biotechnology firm Amarillo Biosciences has issued an update on the progress towards its long-term goal of US approval for its low-dose oral interferon. One of the Texas-based firm's key achievements in 2006, was preparing to conduct a series of clinical trials across four continents.

Enrollment in Turkey for Amarillo's double-blinded, placebo-controlled Phase II study in Behcet's disease currently stands at 51 patients and has a 90-patient target before completion, which is expected to be reached in the first or second quarter of the year, with data analysis starting 12 weeks after the last patient is enrolled. The firm's local partner, Nobel Ilac, one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in Turkey, is funding the study and could use the Phase II data to seek domestic approval.