SciClone to Present New Preclinical Data on SCV-07 at 2011 ASCO Annual Meeting

FOSTER CITY, CA, May 18 (MARKET WIRE) --
SciClone Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCLN) ("Company") today announced
that new data on SCV-07, the Company's lead development product
candidate, will be presented at the 2011 American Society of Clinical
Oncology ("ASCO") Annual Meeting. The new data include findings from
preclinical studies that support the potential role of SCV-07 as a
treatment for oral mucositis (OM) in patients with a variety of cancers.
Specifically, these findings suggest that when used to treat OM in
patients with a variety of cancers, SCV-07 should not interfere with the
anti-tumor effects of primary cancer therapy. In some preclinical models,
SCV-07 demonstrated evidence of anti-tumor efficacy.

Full results from these studies will be the subject of two separate
poster presentations at ASCO with the following details:

Abstract Title: Anti-tumor activity of the immunomodulatory
peptide gamma-D-glutamyl-L-tryptophan in
leukemia, lymphoma, and head and neck cancer
xenograft models

Abstract #: 5592

Poster Session: Head and Neck Cancer

Presentation Date/Time: 2 - 6 pm, June 4, 2011

Location: McCormick Place Hall A

Primary Presenter: Cynthia Tuthill, PhD
Abstract Title: Identification of signaling pathways involved in
the mechanism of action of the immunomodulatory
peptide gamma-D-glutamyl-L-tryptophan

Abstract #: 5591

Poster Session: Head and Neck Cancer

Presentation Date/Time: 2 - 6 pm, June 4, 2011

Location: McCormick Place Hall A

Primary Presenter: Jackie Papkoff, PhD

The full abstracts for these SCV-07 presentations are currently
available online at: http://chicago2011.asco.org/.

About Oral Mucositis
OM is a common, painful, debilitating complication
of cancer treatment, and SciClone estimates that total medical costs were
approximately $4.2 billion in the U.S. and $10 billion worldwide in 2010.
OM is a condition in which the sensitive cells lining the mouth and
throat are damaged by cancer treatments such as chemotherapy (with or
without radiation) and become painful mouth sores. Severe OM has been
reported to occur in about 50% of patients who receive chemoradiation for
the prevention of cancers of head and neck (Sonis, Core Evidence, 2009).
Importantly, radiation to the head and neck, especially when it includes
the tissues of the mouth, pharynx and hypopharynx, results in significant
ulcerative OM in greater than 90% of patients (Manas et al, Clinical
Translational Oncology, 2009) and can compromise the patient's ability or
willingness to accept a complete course of therapy. Symptoms can include
painful ulcers in the mouth and throat, redness and swelling of the gums,
dryness and overall soreness in the mouth, and difficulty eating,
swallowing, talking and drinking. In addition to the symptoms of OM and
its impact on quality of life and continued therapy, mucositis can cause
adverse effects on a variety of other health and economic outcomes, such
as a risk of serious infection, the need for parenteral nutrition and
narcotic analgesia, and increased hospitalization and feeding-tube
placement. The National Cancer Institute estimates that 450,000 patients
per year in the U.S. suffer from OM during cancer therapy.

About SCV-07
SCV-07 (gamma-D-glutamyl-L-tryptophan) is a small molecule
that appears to stimulate the immune system through inhibition of STAT3
signaling and the resulting effects on T-helper 1 cells. SCV-07 has been
shown to be efficacious in animal models of immune-sensitive diseases,
including prevention of oral mucositis, treatment of cancer and viral
infections, and enhancement of response to vaccines.

SCV-07 is protected by composition of matter patents as well as multiple
method of treatment patents. SciClone has exclusive worldwide rights to
SCV-07 outside of Russia, where the molecule has been approved for
stimulation of depressed immune systems.

About SciClone's Phase 2b OM Study
SciClone initiated in January 2011
its phase 2b clinical trial of SCV-07 for the prevention of oral
mucositis (OM) -- a painful, debilitating, and costly toxicity caused by
chemoradiotherapy regimens used to treat head and neck cancer. The study
is examining three doses of SCV-07, including two higher doses than those
used in the company's phase 2a study, to assess the drug's impact on
modifying the course of OM in patients with head and neck cancer. In
addition, the trial is further evaluating SCV-07's safety and
tolerability in this patient population, as well as the role played by
specific genetic profiles on patient response to the treatment.

About SciClone
SciClone Pharmaceuticals is a revenue-generating,
China-centric specialty pharmaceutical company with a substantial
business and a product portfolio of novel therapies for cancer,
infectious diseases and cardiovascular, urology and central nervous
system disorders, and respiratory conditions. SciClone's ZADAXIN(R)
(thymalfasin) is approved in over 30 countries for the treatment of
hepatitis B (HBV), as a vaccine adjuvant, for the treatment of hepatitis
C (HCV), and certain cancers. SciClone markets nearly 20 products in
China besides ZADAXIN, including Depakine(R), the most widely prescribed
broad-spectrum anti-convulsant in China, Tritace, an ACE inhibitor for
the treatment of hypertension, Stilnox(R), a fast-acting hypnotic for the
short-term treatment of insomnia (marketed as Ambien(R) in the US), and
Aggrastat(R), a recently-launched intervention cardiology product. The
Company also has a pipeline of China-focused assets awaiting regulatory
approval in that country. On the development side, SciClone is evaluating
SCV-07 in a phase 2b trial to modify the course of oral mucositis in
patients with head and neck cancer. SciClone is also pursuing the
registration of several other therapeutic products in China. SciClone is
headquartered in Foster City, California. For additional information,
please visit www.sciclone.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
The information in this press release
contains forward-looking statements, including our expectations and
beliefs regarding the timing potential benefit of SCV-07 based upon
pre-clinical data. You are urged to consider statements that include the
words "may," "will," "would," "could," "should," "might," "believes,"
"estimates," "projects," "potential," "expects," "plans," "anticipates,"
"intends," "continues," "forecast," "designed," "goal," or the negative
of those words or other comparable words to be uncertain and
forward-looking. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties
that are difficult to predict and actual outcomes may differ materially.
These risks and uncertainties include the fact that experimental data,
and pre-clinical results derived from studies with animals or a limited
group of patients, as well as comparisons with other clinical trials, may
not be predictive of the results of larger studies and, therefore, such
experimental or clinical data are not necessarily predictive or
indicative of the efficacy or safety or the results of larger studies and
clinical trials. Please also refer to the other risks and uncertainties
described in SciClone's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. All forward-looking statements are based on information
currently available to SciClone, and SciClone assumes no obligation to
update any such forward-looking statements.

Ambien, Depakine and Stilnox are registered trademarks of Sanofi-Aventis.

Aggrastat is a registered trademark of Merck & Co., Inc.

DC Bead is a registered trademark of Biocompatibles UK Limited.

Corporate Contacts
Gary Titus
Chief Financial Officer
650.358.3456
gtitus@sciclone.com

Ana Kapor
Investors/Media
650.350.4825
akapor@sciclone.com

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