Amarillo Biosciences is currently developing an oral formula of interferon alpha, not yet in clinical trials. The company states that low-dose interferon is effective for treating hepatitis C, and oral therapy does not cause the severe side effects associated with injection therapy. The oral IFN can be stored at room temperature, and is less expensive. The company will be doing a hepatitis C study later this year (2001) in Egypt, in conjunction with an antiviral agent.