Hepatitis is rapidly becoming so prevalent that we currently have a worldwide health crisis due to the numerous strains of the virus. In the U.S. alone approximately 4 million people are believed to be infected by the Hepatitis C virus but there are actually 5 known strains of the virus A through E. Vaccines for Hepatitis A and B earn drug companies more than $1.2 billion per year. Since there is no current vaccine to prevent or treat Hepatitis C current drug treatment regimen runs about $18,000.00 a year per patient. According to Technology Investor magazine the treatment market for Hepatitis C in the U.S. and Europe alone is estimated at about $2 billion for this year (2000) alone. Estimates have the market growing to about $4 to $5 billion per year by 2004. Those numbers are based on the current 10% of the afflicted population that seeks treatment. The following companies are among the current Hepatitis Drug Leaders; BioChem Pharma (BCHE), Gilead Sciences (GILD), Schering-Plough (SGP) and SciClone (SCLN). The companies on this list are targeting the treatment and prevention of one of the world's most prevalent diseases. You might be interested in the companies on our Biotechnology List or our Healthcare Lists. These additional companies are involved in Drug Discovery. You might also be interested in our broader Drug Stock List or the Pharmaceutical Stock List.

The Hepatitis Drug Leaders Stock List

AMGN BIIB ENZ GILD GSK ICN MRK SCLN VRM VRX

AMGN through VRX

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