Sch-351125 and Sch-350634. Schering-Plough.

Schering-Plough is developing Sch-351125 (Sch-C), the lead in a series of CCR5 inhibitors, for the potential treatment of HIV infection. By March 2001, it had entered phase I studies in the US, however, by April 2001, these had been suspended based in part on observed QTc prolongation at the highest dose. By December 2001, a new phase I trial had been initiated in France. The company has continued to investigate a number of second-generation CCR5 receptor antagonists, including Sch-350634, for the potential treatment of HIV infection. Although it was reported at two separate meetings in early 2001 that Sch-350634 was in phase I/II trials, in April 2001, Schering-Plough confirmed that the compound was not in clinical development at that time and that a preclinical toxicology program was scheduled for late 2001. In December 2001, Morgan Stanley predicted a 2004 launch for a compound arising from the CCR5 inhibitor program, with sales of US$100 million in 2004, US$200 million in 2005, rising to US$300 million in 2006.