Canopus BioPharma Inc. announced topline results from a Compassionate Clinical Trial in China, evaluating the twice daily oral administration of Mogroside IV (Mogrovir(TM)). Mogrovir(TM) is a Toll-like receptor agonist and stimulator of the patient's immune system. Mogrovir(TM) was administered orally in combination with Ribavirn (RBV), for the treatment of Genotype 1, treatment naive Hepatitis C (HCV) patients.

The study showed a statistically significant result regarding the improvement of both liver function and increased blood platelet counts. A selection of patients in the trial also showed a statistically significant reduction in HCV viral-load levels, in the three month follow up period post-therapy. HCV Viral-load in these specific patients were approaching zero after a period of 180 days (90 days Mogrovir(TM) Treatment and 90 days follow-up).

This fact confirmed the immune activation effects which are expected from the immune activation characteristics of Mogrovir(TM). Twenty eight patients were enrolled in the Canopus BioPharma study and all patients completed the study, without any toxicity or negative side-effects being documented. Compared to baseline, significant improvements were observed for patients in malaise, anorexia, food intake, abdominal distension and sleep at day 90 of the study.

Canopus BioPharma is currently co-ordinating with study centres in Europe and the USA to duplicate the results observed from this Chinese study. Since Hepatitis C and the Dengue Virus are both members of the Flavivirus family, Canopus BioPharma has initiated discussions in Singapore and Thailand with the intention of commencing patient studies with Mogrovir(TM) alone for the treatment of Dengue viral infections in patients.