Ilodecakin. Schering-Plough Corp.

Schering-Plough's interleukin (IL)-10 (ilodecakin) is under investigation for the potential treatment of autoimmune diseases, solid tumors, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease and organ transplantation. In June 1996, ilodecakin entered phase II trials for Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis and, as of June 1999 was reported to be in phase III trials for Crohn's disease and rheumatoid arthritis. It has also demonstrated promising effects in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. In January 1997, phase I trials began in HIV-infected patients. Initial results from a pilot study, carried out by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease Control, indicated that a single dose of IL-10 decreases the blood viral load. The results, however, were transient. Early clinical studies are ongoing in acute lung injury, ischemia-reperfusion injury, multiple sclerosis and psoriasis. In February 1999, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter predicted sales of US $50 million in 2000 rising to US $325 million in 2005.