Biotron [ASX: BIT] has started Phase Ib/IIa clinical trials of its BIT225 hepatitis C candidate.

The study will enlist 18 hep C positive patients, who will be sorted into two dosage groups and a placebo control group.

The trial is primarily a safety and tolerability study, but determining the pharmacokinetics and effectiveness of the drug are secondary objectives of the trial.

Biotron expects to conclude the trial by the end of the year.

BIT225 targets the p7 protein of HCV, and has demonstrated good antiviral activity in surrogate models of HCV infection. This trial follows on from a successful Phase I trail conducted in healthy volunteers.

Biotron began as the commercialisation arm of the John Curtin School of Medical Research at ANU.