INTERFERON ALPHA PROGRAM Sample Clauses

INTERFERON ALPHA PROGRAM. Interferon alpha is produced by a number of cell types in the body and serves to turn on an array of genes in cells for fighting viral infections. It has been approved for Hepatitis B and C (inflammatory viral diseases of the liver), hairy cell leukemia (a blood cancer), and AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma (a skin cancer prevalent in AIDS patients). The global market for all interferon alpha agents was estimated to be approximately $700 million in 1995. There are at least five companies competing in the interferon alpha market, including Schering-Plough Corporation, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, Inc., Sumitomo Corp. and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Interferon alpha is currently given in all indications three times per week by subcutaneous injection. Inhale believes that a pulmonary delivery system could provide a competitive advantage in what is now an exclusively injectable market and could reduce the cost of treatment by enabling more home therapy. Inhale has completed feasibility testing, including animal studies, showing that interferon alpha is well absorbed systemically following pulmonary administration. INTERFERON BETA PROGRAM. Interferon beta has been approved for treatment of multiple sclerosis, an immunological disorder in which the immune system attacks the myelin sheath that coats the nerves. Analysts estimate this market at approximately $300 million. There are an estimated 700,000 cases in North America and Europe. Two interferon beta products are FDA approved for chronic treatment of multiple sclerosis (Betaseron by Berlex and Avonex by Biogen). Betaseron is administered as daily injections and Avonex is administered as a weekly injection. Inhale believes that a pulmonary drug delivery system could provide a competitive advantage in this exclusively injectable market. The Company has successfully completed formulation feasibility testing of Interferon-beta. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to enter into additional collaborations or that its feasibility agreements will lead to collaborations. There also can be no assurance that the Company will be able to maintain any such collaborative arrangements or feasibility agreements or that any such collaborative arrangements or feasibility agreements will be successful. The failure of the Company to enter into or maintain such collaborative arrangements and feasibility agreements would have a material adverse effect on the Company. See "Risk Factors -- Dependence on Collaborative Partn...