LEIDEN, NETHERLANDS -- (MARKET WIRE) -- January 30, 2007 -- OctoPlus N.V. (Euronext: OCTO), the drug delivery and development company, announces today the commencement of a Phase IIa study with LocteronTM, its controlled release formulation of alfa interferon for treatment of chronic hepatitis C. The Phase IIa study is designed to evaluate Locteron in combination with the anti-viral drug ribavirin in previously untreated chronic hepatitis C patients. Recruitment of patients is ongoing and dosing has started.