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[COMPANY LETTERHEAD]
February 23, 1998
VIA EDGAR
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Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549
Re: SciClone Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Registration Statement on Form S-3
File No. 333-38773
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am writing with respect to the above-referenced registration statement
(the "Registration Statement") which was filed with the Commission on October
27, 1997. By this letter, the Company hereby requests that the Registration
Statement be withdrawn effective immediately. No sales were made pursuant to
the prospectus included in the Registration Statement. The grounds for the
withdrawal is that the Company and its placement agent have determined that,
due to current market conditions, a public offering of the Company's Common
Stock as contemplated by the Registration Statement is not viable at this time.
If you have any questions regarding this matter, please call Howard Clowes
or Dianne Salesin of Gray, Cary Ware & Freidenrich, LLP, the Company's counsel,
at (650) 328-6561.
Sincerely,
/s/ DONALD R. SELLERS
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Donald R. Sellers
President and Chief Executive Officer
cc: Joseph Pascale, Mail Stop 7-6
J. Howard Clowes, Esq.
Dianne B. Salesin, Esq.