Clinical experiments have started on a strong new drug that is being formulated in order to handle infections caused by the Hepatitis C virus.

Around 170 million people all over the world have Hepatitis C, which can cause liver cancer, cirrhosis and death. It is one of the main causes of liver transplantation in western nations.

The newest cure includes two drugs, Ribavirin and Interferon, which has to be given as an injection. Side effects are often harsh and cause sufferers failing to finish the treatment cycle.

The new drug named, INX-189, is taken orally and was first prepared at the Welsh School of Pharmacy in November 2008.

Laboratory examination found that it killed 90% of the virus at very low concentrations, making it one of the strongest compounds of its kind originated up till now.

Inhibitex, US pharmaceutical company, which has the license to INX-189 and has been conducting research with the Cardiff researchers, has now begun trials on strong volunteers to evaluate the compound's safety.

The second experiment that would assess the effectiveness of compound on Hepatitis C sufferers may follow later this year.

Chris McGuigan, professor at the Cardiff University's Welsh School of Pharmacy, the academic lead on the project, stated, "This is still a very early stage of the trial process. However, progress has been encouraging so far, going from the laboratory to human trials within 18 months."

"We believe that INX-189 offers the possibility of more potency against Hepatitis, more rapid action in the liver, and fewer side effects than existing treatments," Chris added.

Cardiff University and Inhibitex filed a patent on INX-189 earlier this year. It has been cleared for human clinical trials by the US Food and Drug Administration. (With Inputs from Agencies)