Singapore, Mar 19, 2010: Biotron, engaged in the research, development, and commercialization of drugs targeting significant viral diseases with unmet medical need, with a major focus on HIV and HCV from Australia said it believes its alliance with the ACLIRES clinical research group will be critical to its success.

Dr Michelle Miller, Chief Executive Officer, Biotron Limited said “ACLIRES specialised in running clinical trials for both Hepatitis C and the HIV virus, with fully accredited facilities in South America and Asia. It has a long history of running successful Phase I and II trials of new drugs, with international pharmaceutical companies and US biotech companies among its clients.”

“ACLIRES also has access to large numbers of eligible patient populations. This really is critical to the successful completion of the trial, as one of the biggest risk factors for trials is access to sufficient suitable patients,” she noted.

Unlike other Hepatitis C drugs, Biotron’s drug, BIT 225 works by targeting the p7 protein, a viral protein essential to virus production and replication.

The next stage of development is to determine how the drug works in combination with current approved treatments for HCV, Interferon and Ribavairin.

At its helm of ACLIRES is well regarded infectious diseases expert, Professor Rob Murphy, currently the Director of the Centre for Global Health at the prestigious Northwestern University in Chicago, USA.

Dr Miller added, “We are confident our drug trials are in the best possible position under Professor Murphy’s leadership.”