SCICLONE PHARMACEUTICALS INC
S-3, 1999-08-04
PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS
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<PAGE>   1
     AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON AUGUST 4, 1999
                                               REGISTRATION NO. 333-____________
================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                   ----------

                                    FORM S-3
            REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                                   ----------

                         SCICLONE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                                   ----------

               CALIFORNIA                                  94-3116852
              (State or other                            (IRS Employer
              jurisdiction of                          Identification No.)
             incorporation or
              organization)

                   901 MARINER'S ISLAND BOULEVARD, SUITE 205
                          SAN MATEO, CALIFORNIA 94404
                                 (650) 358-3456
       (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
               of registrant's principal executive offices)

                                   ----------

                                DONALD R. SELLERS
                      PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                         SCICLONE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
                    901 MARINERS ISLAND BOULEVARD, SUITE 205
                           SAN MATEO, CALIFORNIA 94404
                                 (650) 358-3456
 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                             of agent for service)

                                   Copies to:
                             J. HOWARD CLOWES, ESQ.
                        Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich LLP
                         139 Townsend Street, Suite 400
                         San Francisco, California 94107
                                 (415) 836-2500
                                   ----------

        APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: From
time to time as described in the Prospectus after the effective date of this
Registration Statement.

        If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. [ ]

        If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered
on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act
of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or
interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. [X]

        If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ] _______________

        If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [ ] _______________

        If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to
Rule 434, please check the following box.  [ ]


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
==============================================================================================
                                                                 PROPOSED
                                                                 MAXIMUM
 Title of Each Class of                     PROPOSED MAXIMUM     AGGREGATE
    Securities to be         AMOUNT TO BE    OFFERING PRICE      OFFERING         AMOUNT OF
       Registered            REGISTERED        PER SHARE          PRICE       REGISTRATION FEE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                          <C>            <C>                  <C>              <C>
  common stock (no par       2,923,469          $1.78125 (2)      $5,207,429       $1,536
         value)              shares (1)
===============================================================================================
</TABLE>

(1)     Consists of 1,370,145 shares of SciClone Pharmaceuticals, Inc. common
        stock issued to investors, and up to 1,553,324 shares of SciClone common
        stock issuable upon exercise of warrants issued to investors and
        placement agents, in connection with SciClone's July 2, 1999 financing,
        as described in the prospectus.

(2)     Estimated solely for the purpose of computing the registration fee
        pursuant to Rules 457(c) and 457(g) of the Securities Act of 1933, as
        amended, and based on the average of the high and low sales prices of
        the common stock, as reported on the Nasdaq National Market on August 3,
        1999.

THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES
AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE
A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SUCH SECTION 8(a),
MAY DETERMINE.
================================================================================
<PAGE>   2
        THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED.
THE SELLING SHAREHOLDERS MAY NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT FILED WITH THE SEC IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER TO
SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IT IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES
IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.


                 SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED AUGUST 4, 1999

                         SCICLONE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

                                  COMMON STOCK

                     1,370,145 Shares Issued and Outstanding

                                       and

                      1,553,324 Shares Subject to Warrants

        This prospectus relates to the offer and sale of our common stock by the
selling shareholders, as follows:

        -    1,370,145 shares issued to investors in our July 2, 1999 financing;

        -    up to 1,370,145 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants, with an
             exercise price of $1.33 per share, issued to the investors in the
             financing; and

        -    up to 183,179 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants, with an
             exercise price of $1.66 per share, issued to the placement agents
             in connection with the financing.

        Our common stock is quoted on The Nasdaq National Market under the
symbol "SCLN." On July 23, 1999, the last sale price of the common stock as
reported on The Nasdaq National Market was $1.90.

        Our principal executive offices are located at 901 Mariner's Island
Boulevard, Suite 205, San Mateo, California 94404, and our telephone number is
(650) 358-3456.

                                   ----------

        AN INVESTMENT IN SCICLONE COMMON STOCK INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK.
PLEASE CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE INFORMATION UNDER THE HEADING "RISK FACTORS"
BEGINNING ON PAGE 3.


                                   ----------


        NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES, OR DETERMINED IF THIS
PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.


               The date of this prospectus is ____________, 1999.
<PAGE>   3
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     Page
                                                                     ----
<S>                                                                  <C>
RISK FACTORS......................................................     3

ABOUT SCICLONE ...................................................    10

USE OF PROCEEDS...................................................    12

SELLING SHAREHOLDERS..............................................    12

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION..............................................    15

LEGAL MATTERS ....................................................    16

EXPERTS  .........................................................    16

WHERE TO FIND MORE INFORMATION....................................    17

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE...............................    17
</TABLE>



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<PAGE>   4
                                  RISK FACTORS

        You should carefully consider the following risk factors, together with
the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus,
in evaluating whether to purchase shares of our common stock.

        This prospectus contains forward-looking statements within the meaning
of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1934 and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act and we have attempted to identify these statements with an asterisk
("*"). Actual results could differ materially from those projected in these
forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, including those set
forth below.

IF WE DO NOT CONTINUE TO INCREASE OUR SALES, WE MAY NOT BECOME PROFITABLE
WHICH MAY PREVENT OR DELAY OUR LONG-TERM PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND
COMMERCIALIZATION EFFORTS

        We began to generate revenues from thymosin alpha 1, which we sell under
the branded trademark ZADAXIN, in 1997. Future ZADAXIN revenues are uncertain.
Our other drug under development, CPX, is a drug that targets the underlying
cause of cystic fibrosis, a disease caused by genetic defects. Marketing
approvals for CPX and additional marketing approvals for ZADAXIN are uncertain.
We have experienced significant operating losses since our inception and have a
substantial accumulated deficit. Furthermore, we expect our operating expenses
to increase over the next several years if we expand our development, clinical
testing and marketing capabilities.* Our ability to become profitable depends in
large part on our ability to do the following:

        -      increase ZADAXIN sales in existing markets;

        -      launch ZADAXIN in newly-approved markets;

        -      obtain additional regulatory approvals for ZADAXIN and/or future
               products;

        -      obtain regulatory approvals for CPX;

        -      enter into a corporate partnering arrangement for development in
               the U.S. and Europe of a combination therapy for hepatitis C
               including ZADAXIN plus interferon; and

        -      enter into other agreements for product development and
               commercialization.

        If we do not become profitable, we may have to delay or curtail our
long-term product development and commercialization efforts.

IF WE EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTIES IN OUR FOREIGN SALES AND OPERATIONS, OUR FINANCIAL
CONDITION WOULD SUFFER

        Our financial condition in the near term is highly dependent on ZADAXIN
sales in foreign jurisdictions. The majority of our current ZADAXIN sales are to
customers in the People's Republic of China. However, ZADAXIN sales in the
People's Republic of China may be limited due to its low average income and
poorly developed infrastructure. In addition, our sales and operations in Asia,
Latin America and the Middle East are subject to inherent risks, including:

        -      difficulties and delays in obtaining pricing approvals and
               reimbursement;

        -      difficulties and delays in obtaining product health registration
               and importation permits;

        -      unexpected changes in regulatory requirements;

        -      tariffs and other barriers;

        -      political instability;

        -      the difficulties of staffing and managing foreign operations;



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<PAGE>   5
        -      long payment cycles;

        -      difficulty in accounts receivable collection;

        -      currency fluctuations; and

        -      potential adverse tax consequences.

We currently do not have any sales in the United States with which to offset any
decrease in revenue from ZADAXIN sales in Asia, Latin America and the Middle
East. In addition, certain countries in these territories regulate
pharmaceutical prices. This regulation may reduce prices for ZADAXIN
significantly below those that would prevail in a free market.

IF WE FAIL TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL REGULATORY APPROVALS OR MARKET ACCEPTANCE FOR
ZADAXIN(R) OR IF WE FAIL TO OBTAIN REGULATORY APPROVAL FOR CPX, OUR POTENTIAL
FUTURE REVENUE WOULD BE LIMITED

        Our principal drug development efforts currently focus on our two lead
drugs, ZADAXIN and CPX. We need favorable results from additional clinical
trials of ZADAXIN to get regulatory approval in major pharmaceutical markets.
ZADAXIN has been approved for commercial sale in 14 countries, principally as a
treatment for hepatitis B and hepatitis C, diseases caused by viruses that
affect the liver. However, we may not be able to obtain approvals for ZADAXIN in
other countries or for the treatment of additional medical conditions, such as
cancer.

        Our launch of ZADAXIN in the People's Republic of China, the Philippines
and Singapore was our first commercial introduction of ZADAXIN, and may not be
successful. Moreover, our future launches of ZADAXIN in additional countries may
not be successful. Future sales of ZADAXIN will depend on market acceptance and
successful distribution.

        In particular, although the People's Republic of China has the highest
prevalence of hepatitis B in the world, its low average income and poorly
developed distribution infrastructure may make it difficult to successfully
commercialize ZADAXIN in the Chinese market. Because we currently rely on
ZADAXIN as our sole source of revenue, our failure to demonstrate its efficacy
in future clinical trials, obtain additional marketing approvals or successfully
commercialize ZADAXIN would adversely affect our revenue and operating results.

        CPX is currently undergoing clinical testing in the United States. We
may experience delays and difficulties in clinical trials of CPX. In addition,
clinical trials may not prove that CPX is an effective treatment for cystic
fibrosis. Our failure to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of CPX as a
treatment for cystic fibrosis in a clinical trial, obtain regulatory approval of
CPX as a treatment for cystic fibrosis or successfully commercialize CPX could
adversely affect our potential future revenue and operating results.

IF WE DO NOT BECOME PROFITABLE, WE MAY NEED TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL FUNDS IN
ORDER TO SUPPORT OUR LONG-TERM PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND COMMERCIALIZATION
PROGRAMS

        Since inception, we have financed our operations primarily through
sales of stock. Due to our continuing operating losses, our independent
auditors issued an opinion on our financial statements for the period ended
December 31, 1998 that includes a paragraph emphasizing the uncertainty
surrounding our ability to continue as a going concern. However, we recently
completed two private placements of common stock and common stock warrants
which resulted in aggregate net proceeds of approximately $5.5 million,
excluding the proceeds which will be received if the warrants are exercised.
However, if we do not continue to increase our revenue and become profitable,
we will need to obtain additional financing to support our long-term product
development and commercialization programs.

        Our need for capital will depend on many factors, including:

        -      the level of ZADAXIN sales;

        -      preclinical and clinical development expenses and opportunities;

        -      the timing and cost of regulatory approvals;



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<PAGE>   6
        -      patent costs;

        -      our ability to use our equity line, described below; and

        -      our ability to establish development, sales, manufacturing and
               marketing arrangements.

The unavailability or timing of any necessary financing could prevent or delay
our long-term product development and commercialization programs. Other than the
equity line, we have no commitments or arrangements for additional funding and
we may not be able to obtain financing if and when needed.

IF WE ISSUE ADDITIONAL COMMON STOCK OR SECURITIES CONVERTIBLE INTO COMMON
STOCK, THE PERCENTAGE OWNERSHIP OF OUR THEN-CURRENT SHAREHOLDERS WOULD BE
REDUCED AND THE MARKET PRICE OF OUR COMMON STOCK MAY DECREASE

        We recently completed two equity financings in which we issued an
aggregate of 3,886,079 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase an
aggregate of 4,415,191 shares of common stock. Any common stock issued upon
exercise of the warrants would reduce the percentage ownership of our
then-current shareholders and decrease any earnings per share. Public resale of
the common stock issued in the private placements and issuable upon exercise of
the warrants and the possibility of such resales may depress the market price of
our common stock.

        In addition, we have entered into a Structured Equity Line Flexible
Financing(SM) Agreement which allows us, subject to certain limitations, to sell
to the purchaser under the equity line up to $4 million of common stock during
each "investment period" during the two-year term of the equity line. An
"investment period" under the equity line is approximately three months. If we
sell stock under the equity line, the purchaser's price will be 97% of the
lowest reported sale price during the four days immediately prior to each
purchase date selected by the purchaser during the investment period. In order
to use the equity line, our common stock must trade at more than $1.00 per
share, unless we reach a different agreement with the purchaser under the equity
line. Draws under the equity line are subject to certain conditions, including:

        -      registration of the investor's resale of the shares;

        -      a minimum trading price per share;

        -      volume limitations;

        -      limitations on the number of shares that can be issued without
               shareholder approval; and

        -      limitations on the number of shares of our common stock the
               investor may hold at any time.

If we sell common stock under the equity line, the percentage ownership of our
then-current shareholders will be reduced. In connection with the equity line,
we also issued to the purchaser a warrant to purchase 200,000 shares of our
common stock. We will also issue to the purchaser additional warrants to
purchase up to 300,000 shares of common stock. Because the shares that may be
issued under the equity line, along with the shares issuable upon exercise of
the warrant and additional warrants, can be immediately resold by the purchaser,
the possibility of these sales could adversely affect the market price of the
common stock.

        Similarly, if we raise additional funds through the issuance of common
stock or securities convertible into or exercisable for common stock, the
percentage ownership of our then-current shareholders will be reduced.



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<PAGE>   7
IF WE DO NOT CONTINUE TO COMPLY WITH CERTAIN NASDAQ LISTING REQUIREMENTS, OUR
COMMON STOCK MAY BE DELISTED WHICH WOULD MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT TO SELL OUR
COMMON STOCK

        Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq National Market. To remain
listed on the Nasdaq, a company must meet certain criteria, including:

        -      a minimum bid price of $1.00 per share;

        -      $4,000,000 in net tangible assets; and

        -      $5,000,000 market value of the public float, excluding shares
               held directly or indirectly by any of our officers or directors
               and by anyone holding beneficially more than 10% of our
               outstanding shares.

        As of July 23, 1999, the closing bid price of our common stock was $1.90
and as of July 23, 1999, the market value of our public float was approximately
$46,000,000. As of July 24, 1999, we had net tangible assets of approximately
$7,700,000.

        If we fail to meet Nasdaq's listing criteria our common stock may be
delisted. Our common stock would thereafter be traded in the non-Nasdaq,
over-the-counter market. If our common stock were delisted, it may be more
difficult to dispose of, or get an accurate market value of, our common stock.
This could severely limit our common shareholders' ability to sell our common
stock in the secondary market.

IF WE DO NOT OBTAIN ADDITIONAL PRODUCT RIGHTS FROM THIRD PARTIES OR IF OUR
LICENSEES DO NOT PERFORM THEIR OBLIGATIONS, OUR POTENTIAL FUTURE REVENUE WOULD
BE LIMITED

        Our strategy includes entering into various corporate partnering
arrangements. To date, we have acquired rights to ZADAXIN, CPX and certain other
drugs but we are only actively pursuing clinical development of ZADAXIN and CPX.
If we do not license or otherwise acquire rights to additional drugs we may have
a shortage of drugs to develop which would limit our potential future revenue.

        In addition, we have exclusively sublicensed our rights to develop and
market ZADAXIN in Japan to Schering-Plough K.K. However, Schering-Plough K.K.
already has a substantial commitment to alpha interferon, which is an approved
drug for hepatitis B and hepatitis C in Japan. Our relationship with
Schering-Plough K.K. may not be successful and we may not be able to negotiate
similar additional arrangements in the future. We generally do not have control
over the amount and timing of resources that our collaborators devote to their
activities with us. If these parties do not perform their obligations as we
expect them to, the development and sale of our products could be limited or
delayed.

        Our ability to obtain regulatory approval in one country may be delayed
or adversely affected by the timing of regulatory activities and approvals in
other countries, particularly if we do not participate in the regulatory
approval process in these other countries. Any delay or failure to achieve
regulatory approvals may limit our potential future revenue.

IF WE FAIL TO PROTECT OUR PRODUCTS, TECHNOLOGIES AND TRADE SECRETS, WE MAY NOT
BE ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY USE, MANUFACTURE OR MARKET AND SELL OUR PRODUCTS OR WE
MAY FAIL TO ADVANCE OR MAINTAIN OUR COMPETITIVE POSITION

The United States composition of matter patent, which covers the chemical
structure of thymosin alpha 1, and most of the European composition of matter
patents for thymosin alpha 1 have expired. Going forward, we will have only
limited patents covering the chemical structure of thymosin alpha 1 and this
could adversely affect our proprietary rights. Our success depends significantly
on our ability to obtain patent protection for our products and technologies, to
preserve our trade secrets and to avoid infringing on the proprietary rights of
third parties. However, our pending patent applications may not result in issued
patents. Any patents that are issued may not provide a competitive advantage to
us or may be invalidated or circumvented by our competitors. Others may



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<PAGE>   8
independently develop similar products or designs around patents issued or
licensed to us. Patents issued to or patent applications filed by other
companies could have an adverse effect on our ability to use, manufacture or
market our products or maintain our competitive position with respect to our
products. Many of our patents and patent applications relating to thymosin alpha
1 are held under exclusive licenses. If we breach the terms of any of these
licenses we could lose our rights to these patents and patent applications.
Holders of patents licensed to us may not file, prosecute, extend or maintain
their patents in countries where we have rights.

        Other companies obtaining patents on products or processes useful to us
may bring infringement actions against us. This type of litigation is typically
costly and time-consuming and could require us to obtain licenses from others,
or prevent us from using, manufacturing or marketing our products. These
licenses may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, if at all.

        Pharmaceuticals are not patentable or have only recently become
patentable in certain countries in the territory in which we have exclusive
rights to ZADAXIN. Enforcement of intellectual property rights in many countries
in this territory has been limited or non-existent. Future enforcement of
patents and proprietary rights in many countries in this territory will likely
be problematic or unpredictable. Moreover, the issuance of a patent in one
country does not assure the issuance of a similar patent in another country.
Claim interpretation and infringement laws vary by nation, so the extent of any
patent protection is uncertain and may vary in different jurisdictions.

IF WE FAIL TO OBTAIN REGULATORY APPROVALS FOR OUR PRODUCTS IN COUNTRIES IN
WHICH WE HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED, WE CANNOT DEVELOP, MARKET AND SELL OUR
PRODUCTS IN THOSE COUNTRIES

        The research, preclinical and clinical development, manufacturing,
marketing and sale of ZADAXIN, CPX and our other drug candidates are subject to
extensive regulation by governmental authorities. ZADAXIN, CPX and any other
products must be approved before they can be sold in any jurisdiction. Obtaining
regulatory approval is time-consuming and expensive. In some countries where we
are contemplating marketing and selling ZADAXIN, the regulatory approval process
for drugs that have not been previously approved in countries with established
clinical trial review procedures is uncertain, and this may delay the grant of
regulatory approvals for ZADAXIN.

        We are currently sponsoring clinical trials and pursuing regulatory
approvals for ZADAXIN in a number of countries and we are currently sponsoring
clinical trials of CPX in the United States. However, we may not be able to
complete these trials in a timely or cost-effective manner, and even if
completed, these trials may not fulfill the relevant regulatory approval
criteria. We ultimately may not be able to obtain regulatory approvals in these
countries. Adverse results in our development programs also could result in
restrictions on the use of ZADAXIN and, if approved, CPX.

        Our failure to comply with applicable United States or foreign
regulatory requirements could, among other things, result in warning letters,
fines, suspensions of regulatory approvals, product recalls or seizures,
operating restrictions, injunctions and criminal prosecutions. In addition,
government regulations may be established or imposed which prevent or delay
regulatory approval of ZADAXIN, CPX or our future products.

IF WE ARE NOT ABLE TO ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE MANUFACTURING AND SUPPLY
RELATIONSHIPS, THE DEVELOPMENT AND SALE OF OUR PRODUCTS COULD BE IMPAIRED

        We have entered into contract manufacturing and supply agreements for
ZADAXIN and CPX. To be successful, our products must be manufactured in
commercial quantities, in compliance with regulatory requirements and at an
acceptable cost. While we believe we have and will be able to establish and
maintain manufacturing relationships with experienced suppliers*, we may not be
able to establish long-term manufacturing relationships with these suppliers. We
currently have vialing and packaging supply agreements in effect and a
sufficient supply of finished ZADAXIN for the near term. We have recently
changed and upgraded our manufacturing source of finished ZADAXIN for our
international markets, excluding Japan. In certain countries, this change may
require additional regulatory approvals. If we do not obtain any required
regulatory approvals of this manufacturing change in a timely fashion, new
ZADAXIN marketing approvals may be delayed or sales may be interrupted until the
manufacturing change is approved.



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<PAGE>   9
        Production interruptions, if any, could significantly delay clinical
development of potential products and reduce third party or clinical researcher
interest and support of proposed trials. These kinds of interruptions could also
impede commercialization of our products, including sales of ZADAXIN in approved
markets, and impair their competitive position, which would have a material
adverse effect on our business.

WE MAY LOSE MARKET SHARE OR OTHERWISE FAIL TO COMPETE IN THE INTENSELY
COMPETITIVE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY

        Competition in the pharmaceutical industry is intense and we expect that
competition to increase. We believe that the principal competitive factors in
the pharmaceutical industry include the efficacy, safety, price and therapeutic
regimen associated with a given drug. Our competitors include pharmaceutical
companies, biotechnology firms, universities and other research institutions,
both in the United States and abroad, that are actively engaged in research and
development of chronic and life-threatening diseases such as hepatitis B,
hepatitis C, cancer, immune system disorders and cystic fibrosis. Most of our
competitors, particularly large pharmaceutical companies, have substantially
greater financial, technical, regulatory, manufacturing, marketing and human
resource capabilities than we do. Most of them also have extensive experience in
undertaking the clinical testing and obtaining the regulatory approvals
necessary to market drugs. In addition, we currently rely on sales of ZADAXIN as
a treatment for hepatitis B and hepatitis C as our sole source of revenue.
Several large pharmaceutical companies have substantial commitments to alpha
interferon, which is an approved drug for treating hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

IF THIRD PARTY REIMBURSEMENT IS NOT AVAILABLE OR PATIENTS CANNOT OTHERWISE PAY
FOR ZADAXIN, WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY MARKET ZADAXIN

        Our ability to successfully sell ZADAXIN depends in part on whether
pharmaceutical drug consumers will be reimbursed for the cost of ZADAXIN. This
reimbursement may come from government health administration authorities,
private health insurers and other organizations. Third-party reimbursement for
new therapeutic products is highly uncertain and may not be available for our
future products. In many of the foreign countries in which we currently operate
or intend to operate, reimbursement for ZADAXIN under government or private
health insurance programs is currently not available, particularly in Cambodia,
the People's Republic of China, Mexico, the Philippines, Peru, Myanmar and
Malaysia. In the United States, certain proposed health care reforms could limit
the amount of third-party reimbursement available for our products. In many
countries where we have marketing rights to ZADAXIN, government resources and
per capita income may be so low that our products will be prohibitively
expensive. In these countries, we may not be able to market our products on
economically favorable terms, if at all.

IF WE ARE UNABLE TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN QUALIFIED PERSONNEL OR IF OUR PRESIDENT
AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE
OFFICER OR OUR REGIONAL MANAGING DIRECTOR FOR GREATER CHINA LEFT SCICLONE, WE
MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY DEVELOP AND COMMERCIALIZE OUR PRODUCTS

        We are highly dependent upon our ability to attract and retain qualified
personnel because of the specialized, scientific and international nature of our
business. There is intense competition for qualified management, scientific and
technical personnel in the pharmaceutical industry, and we may not be able to
attract and retain the qualified personnel we need to grow and develop our
business globally. In addition, many key responsibilities at SciClone are
assigned to a relatively small number of individuals, such as our President and
Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Administrative Officer
and our Regional Managing Director for Greater China. If we are unable to
attract and retain qualified personnel as needed or promptly replace those
employees who are critical to our product development and commercialization, the
development and commercialization of our products would adversely be affected.
We do not maintain "key person" life insurance on any of our key personnel.

WE HAVE LIMITED PRODUCT LIABILITY INSURANCE AND ANY PRODUCT LIABILITY CLAIMS
ASSERTED AGAINST US COULD RESULT IN SIGNIFICANT EXPENSES AND DECREASED DEMAND
FOR OUR PRODUCTS

        Companies which test, manufacture, market and sell pharmaceutical
products commonly receive product liability claims. These claims may be asserted
against us. Product liability insurance for the pharmaceutical industry



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<PAGE>   10
generally is expensive, if it is available at all. We have product liability
insurance coverage for our clinical trials and commercial sales. However,
product liability claims in excess of our insurance coverage or that resulted in
the payment of large deductibles would adversely affect our financial condition
and demand for our products.

ISSUING PREFERRED STOCK WITH RIGHTS SENIOR TO THOSE OF OUR COMMON STOCK COULD
ADVERSELY AFFECT HOLDERS OF COMMON STOCK OR HINDER TAKEOVER TRANSACTIONS THAT
OFFER COMMON SHAREHOLDERS AN OPTIMAL PRICE FOR THEIR SHARES


        Our charter documents give our board of directors the authority to issue
additional series of preferred stock without a vote or action by our
shareholders. The board also has the authority to determine the terms of
preferred stock, including price, preferences and voting rights. The rights of
holders of our common stock may be adversely affected by the rights granted to
holders of preferred stock. For example, a series of preferred stock may be
granted the right to receive a liquidation preference a pre-set distribution in
the event SciClone is liquidated that would reduce the amount available for
distribution to holders of common stock. In addition, the issuance of preferred
stock could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire a majority of
our outstanding voting stock. As a result, common shareholders could be
prevented from participating in transactions that would offer an optimal price
for their shares.



                                       9
<PAGE>   11
                                 ABOUT SCICLONE


GENERAL

        SciClone acquires, develops and commercializes drugs for treating
chronic and life-threatening diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, cancer,
immune system disorders and cystic fibrosis. We have two drugs in clinical
testing, ZADAXIN and CPX, and we have other potential drugs in preclinical
development.

        ZADAXIN. Our lead drug is ZADAXIN, which boosts the immune system. We
are pursuing development of ZADAXIN for treatment of hepatitis B, hepatitis C,
cancer and certain immune system disorders, as well as an enhancement to the
effectiveness of viral vaccines. ZADAXIN is approved for marketing in 14
countries: Argentina, Cambodia, Italy, Kuwait, Mexico, Malaysia, Myanmar,
Pakistan, the People's Republic of China, Peru, the Philippines, Singapore,
Venezuela and Vietnam. We have filed for approval to market ZADAXIN in 22
additional countries outside the U.S., Europe and Japan. In the first six months
of 1999, ZADAXIN generated approximately $3.6 million in sales, equivalent to
the $3.6 million in annual sales generated by ZADAXIN in 1998, primarily in the
People's Republic of China, the Philippines and Singapore for treatment of
hepatitis B. We hold worldwide development, manufacturing and marketing rights
to ZADAXIN. In Japan, we have sublicensed our rights to Schering-Plough, K.K.,
the Japanese subsidiary of Schering-Plough Corporation, the leading marketer of
viral hepatitis therapies worldwide.

        We are pursuing additional corporate partnering arrangements for
development in the U.S. and Europe of a combination therapy for hepatitis C
including ZADAXIN plus interferon.* Hepatitis C affects over 170 million people
worldwide, including over 10 million people in the United States, Europe and
Japan, which are the world's largest pharmaceutical markets. Our clinical data
show that the combination of ZADAXIN plus interferon could be a significant
therapeutic advance in the fight against the hepatitis C epidemic. Interferon,
the only established therapy for hepatitis C, leads to a response in only 5% to
20% of patients and causes unpleasant side effects. Rebetron3, a combination of
two drugs, interferon and ribavirin, was approved for treatment of hepatitis C
in the U.S. and certain other countries in 1998. This combination benefits
certain patients. However, ribavirin has its own potential side effects, and
increases the risk of side effects when combined with interferon. Importantly,
ZADAXIN combined with interferon has shown clinical promise for treatment of
hepatitis C without increasing the risk of additive side effects.

        In Japan, the world's largest market for viral hepatitis therapies, we
have exclusively sublicensed our rights to develop and market ZADAXIN to
Schering-Plough K.K. Schering-Plough K.K. is conducting a 300-patient phase 3
study of ZADAXIN for treatment of hepatitis B. In phase 3, large-scale,
multi-center comparative trials are conducted in patients afflicted with the
target disease to provide sufficient data for the statistical proof of efficacy
and safety required by regulatory agencies to apply for marketing approval of a
drug. The drug interferon, including Schering-Plough K.K.'s interferon, is the
leading therapy for hepatitis B in Japan. Schering-Plough K.K. is also
developing ZADAXIN in a phase 2 program for treatment of hepatitis C. Phase 2
trials are conducted with groups of patients afflicted with the target disease
to make a preliminary determination of efficacy and optimal dosages and to
provide additional evidence of safety.

        CPX.  Our second drug in clinical testing is CPX.  CPX is a
protein-repair therapy initially developed by the United States National
Institutes of Health, commonly known as NIH, as a potential treatment for
cystic fibrosis, the most common fatal genetic disease in the U.S. and
Europe.

        Cystic fibrosis is caused by mutations in the gene that encodes a
certain protein known as the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance
regulator, or CFTR, protein. More than 70% of cystic fibrosis patients have a
certain type of genetic mutation, referred to as the "delta F508" mutation. In
October 1997, Dr. Harvey Pollard of the Uniformed Services University of the
Health Sciences and formerly of the NIH, presented preclinical data
demonstrating that CPX repairs the two key protein-associated defects causing
cystic fibrosis in patients with the delta F508 genetic mutation. CPX is the
only drug in clinical development with the potential to correct the two key
protein-associated defects in most cystic fibrosis patients. In 1997, we were
awarded a $100,000 Orphan Drug Grant by the FDA for phase 1 development of CPX
as a treatment for cystic fibrosis. Typically, phase 1 trials are conducted in a
small number of healthy volunteers, or in rare cases patients, to determine the
toxicity, pharmacological effects, metabolism and dose range requirements for
the drug. We completed our phase 1 clinical study of CPX in cystic fibrosis
patients in April 1998. In October 1998, we were awarded a $200,000 Orphan Drug
Grant by the FDA for phase 2 development of CPX as a treatment for cystic
fibrosis. We began the


                                       10
<PAGE>   12
phase 2 clinical study of CPX in cystic fibrosis patients in the U.S. in
September 1998 and in April 1999 Cystic Fibrosis Foundation awarded us a
$517,000 research grant for phase 2 development of CPX. The Cystic
Fibrosis Foundation provided substantial financial support for early research on
CPX at the NIH. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation also supported us in our
application for an Investigational New Drug exemption to gain approval from the
FDA to begin testing of CPX directly on cystic fibrosis patients rather than the
standard process of testing first in healthy volunteers. The Cystic Fibrosis
Foundation continues to support us with protocol review, patient recruitment and
investigator and study center selection.

        We have other drug candidates in early preclinical development. We plan
to continue to evaluate the pharmaceutical potential of our preclinical drug
candidates in 1999.

        Internationally, we have 41 ZADAXIN distribution arrangements covering
46 countries outside the U.S., Europe and Japan. We intend to out-license our
products where a collaborative arrangement will materially enhance the prospects
for a drug's commercial success in licensed markets. Our license with
Schering-Plough K.K. for exclusive rights to develop and market ZADAXIN in
Japan, and our arrangements with our ZADAXIN distributors are examples of this
strategy. We are currently pursuing additional corporate partnering arrangements
in the U.S. and Europe for development of ZADAXIN, particularly the combination
of ZADAXIN plus interferon for the treatment of hepatitis C.* We intend to
produce ZADAXIN, CPX and any future products through contract manufacturing and
supply agreements. We have entered into separate supply agreements in the U.S.
and Europe for the supply of bulk and finished product thymosin alpha 1. We
contract with a major U.S. pharmaceutical company for the supply of bulk CPX and
another U.S. pharmaceutical manufacturer for finished product CPX.

FORMATION AND OTHER INFORMATION

        SciClone was incorporated in California in 1990. Our international
operating subsidiary, SciClone Pharmaceuticals International Ltd., is
incorporated in the Cayman Islands and headquartered in Hong Kong. We also have
office locations in Singapore, Taiwan, Japan and Italy.



                                       11
<PAGE>   13

                                USE OF PROCEEDS

        If the warrants are exercised by the selling shareholders, we will
receive proceeds in the form of the exercise price. The warrants issued to the
investors for up to 1,370,145 shares have an aggregate exercise price of
$1,822,292, or $1.33 per share. The warrants issued to the placement agents for
up to 183,179 shares have an aggregate exercise price of $304,077, or $1.66 per
share. If we receive any proceeds from the exercise of the warrants, we expect
to use them for working capital. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale
of the shares of common stock by the selling shareholders and all proceeds will
go to the selling shareholders to be used for their own purposes.

                              SELLING SHAREHOLDERS

        The 2,923,469 shares offered by this prospectus consist of shares issued
or issuable to institutional and individual accredited investors in connection
with a privately placed equity financing on July 2, 1999, as follows:

        -      1,370,145 shares of common stock issued to the investors;

        -      up to 1,370,145 shares of commons stock issuable upon exercise
               of warrants, with an exercise price of $1.33, issued to the
               investors; and

        -      up to 183,179 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of
               warrants, with an exercise price of $1.66, issued to the
               placement agents.

The warrants are exercisable until July 1, 2004. The table below sets forth each
selling shareholder, the number of shares of common stock which it owns or has
the right to acquire as of July 2, 1999, the number of shares of common stock
subject to sale under this prospectus and the number of shares of common stock
it would own assuming the sale of all shares of common stock covered by this
prospectus. The shares offered by the investors consist of an equal number of:

        -      shares issued in the financing and outstanding; and

        -      shares subject to warrants issued in the financing.

        Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with rules promulgated
by the SEC, and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial
ownership for any other purpose. This table is based upon information supplied
to us by the selling shareholders. Except as otherwise indicated, we believe
that each person named in the table has sole voting and investment power with
respect to all of the shares of our common stock listed as beneficially owned by
it.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  Shares            Shares           Shares
                                               Beneficially       Offered by      Beneficially
                                              Owned Prior to         this          Owned After
Selling Shareholders                           the Offering       Prospectus      the Offering
<S>                                           <C>                 <C>             <C>
Investors:
John D. Baxter, M.D.                              578,742          136,986           411,756
Sam Bolton                                         63,246           34,246            29,000
Stuart Cohen                                       74,492           68,492             6,000
Alex Colman                                       336,986          136,986           200,000
Gaymark Associates                                273,972          273,972             --
</TABLE>



                                       12
<PAGE>   14
<TABLE>
<S>                                           <C>                 <C>             <C>
Elliott J. Goldstein, M.D.                        305,400           32,000            273,400
Halifax Fund, L.P.                              2,233,581        1,369,862            863,719
Michael Kooper                                    263,516          136,986            126,530
Alexis Korybut                                     34,246           34,246             --
Mcared Inc. Pension Plan                          205,478          205,478             --
Robert G. Ortagus                                  78,492           68,492             10,000
Donald R. Sellers                               1,036,582           20,546          1,016,036
The Bruce B. Allen Separate Ppty. Tr. #1           28,776           28,776             --
Tracy K. Singh                                     38,246           34,246              4,000
The Martin and Deborah Stringfellow
 Trust dated 7/31/91                              154,986          136,986             18,000
Yolanda A. Willis                                  22,000           22,000             --

Placement Agents:
Moors & Cabot, Inc.                                38,028           38,028             --
John Dakin                                         15,000           15,000             --
Samuel Skinner                                     15,000           15,000             --
Jim McCamant                                        8,028            8,028             --
Sterling Financial Investment Group, Inc.           8,561            8,561             --
Carlo Corzine                                      14,562            8,562              6,000
H.C. Wainwright & Co., Inc.                         3,750            3,750             --
Matthew Balk                                       34,500           15,000             19,500
Scott Weisman                                       6,250            6,250             --
Reedland Capital Partners                          58,500           58,500             --
James Burness                                       8,000            6,500              1,500
</TABLE>


        The shares beneficially owned by John D. Baxter, M.D. include 46,250
shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of July 2,
1999.  Mr. Baxter is a director of SciClone.

        Gaymark Associates is a limited partnership of which Windy Gates
Corporation is the general partner. Walter Scheuer is the President and Chief
Executive Officer, and Wayne Reisner is the Senior Vice President of, Windy
Gates. Messrs. Scheuer and Reisner may be deemed to have investment and voting
control over shares held by Gaymark Associates.

        The number of shares shown as beneficially owned by Halifax Fund, L.P.
represents:

        -      801,219 shares issued upon conversion of Series C Preferred
               Stock purchased by Halifax in April 1998 and still owned by
               Halifax as of July 2, 1999, based upon information provided to us
               by Halifax;

        -      62,500 shares issuable upon exercise of a warrant issued to
               Halifax in connection with the sale of the Series C Preferred
               Stock; and



                                       13
<PAGE>   15
        -      684,931 shares issued to Halifax, and 684,931 shares issuable
               upon exercise of warrants issued to Halifax, in connection with
               our July 2, 1999 private placement.

Halifax Fund, L.P. is a limited partnership for which The Palladin Group, L.P.
serves as its investment advisor.  The Palladin Group, L.P. has voting control
and investment discretion over securities held by Halifax.  Jeffrey E. Devers
is the President of the Palladin Group, L.P.

        Benedict Silverman is the sole beneficiary of the Mcared, Inc. Pension
Plan and may be deemed to have investment and voting control over the shares
held by the Mcared, Inc. Pension Plan.

        The shares beneficially owned by Donald R. Sellers include 976,503
shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of July 2,
1999. Mr. Sellers is the President and Chief Executive Officer of SciClone.

        Moors & Cabot, Inc. is a corporation of which Michael Braun is the
Senior Vice President.  Mr. Braun may be deemed to have investment and voting
control over the shares held by Moors & Cabot, Inc.

        Sterling Financial Investment Group, Inc. is a corporation of which
Charles P. Garcia is the Chief Executive Officer.  Mr. Garcia may be deemed to
have investment and voting control over the shares held by Sterling Financial
Investment Group, Inc.

        H.C. Wainwright & Co., Inc. is a corporation of which Steve Barrett is
the Chief Executive Officer.  Mr. Barrett may be deemed to have investment and
voting control over the shares held by H.C. Wainwright & Co., Inc.

        Reedland Capital Partners is a corporation of which TYJO Corporation and
Thomas J. Griesel are the only shareholders. TYJO Corporation is a corporation
of which Robert K. Schacter and Kim Schacter are the only shareholders.



                                       14
<PAGE>   16
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

        The selling shareholders may sell their shares of common stock on the
Nasdaq National Market, or other exchange on which the common stock is trading,
in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. The shares may be sold by the
selling shareholders by one or more of the following methods:

        o block trades in which the broker or dealer will attempt to sell the
          shares as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as
          principal to facilitate the transaction;

        o purchases by a broker or dealer as principal and resale by such broker
          or dealer for its account pursuant to this prospectus;

        o an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of such
          exchange;

        o ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker
          solicits purchasers;

        o privately negotiated transactions;

        o short sales; or

        o a combination of any of the above methods.

        Brokers and dealers engaged by the selling shareholders may arrange for
other brokers or dealers to participate. Brokers or dealers may receive
commissions or discounts from the selling shareholders. If any broker-dealer
acts as agent for a purchaser of shares, the broker-dealer may receive
commissions or discounts from the purchaser. Commissions or discounts will be
negotiated at the time of the transaction and are not expected to exceed
customary amounts.

        Broker-dealers may agree with the selling shareholders to sell a
specified number of shares at a stipulated price per share. To the extent the
broker-dealer is unable to sell the specified number, it may purchase as
principal any unsold shares at the price required to fulfill the broker-dealer's
commitment to the selling shareholder. Broker-dealers who acquire shares as
principal may then resell such shares from time to time in transactions, which
may involve block transactions as described above, in the over-the-counter
market or otherwise. Resales by broker-dealers may be at prices and on terms
then prevailing at the time of sale, at prices then related to the then-current
market price or in negotiated transactions. In connection with resales,
broker-dealers may pay to or receive from purchasers of the shares commissions
as described above. The selling shareholders may also sell their shares in
accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, rather than pursuant to this
prospectus.

        The selling shareholders and any broker-dealers or agents that
participate with the selling shareholders in sales of the shares may be deemed
to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the Securities Act. If so, any
commissions received by such broker-dealers or agents and any profit on the
resale of shares purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting commissions
or discounts under the Securities Act.

        From time to time the selling shareholders may engage in short sales,
short sales against the box, puts and calls and other transactions in our
securities or instruments that derive their value from our securities, and may
sell and deliver the shares covered by this prospectus in connection with the
transactions or to settle securities loans. From time to time the selling
shareholders may pledge their shares pursuant to the margin provisions of its
agreements with its brokers. Upon a default by the selling shareholders, the
broker may offer and sell the pledged shares from time to time.

        Under our agreement with the selling shareholders, we agreed to file a
registration statement covering the 1,370,145 shares issued in our July 2, 1999
financing and the 1,533,324 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants issued in
connection with the financing within 30 days following the closing of the
financing and to keep a registration statement covering these shares effective
for up to two years following the closing.

        We will pay expenses related to the registration of the shares covered
by this prospectus, including:

        o filing, registration and qualification fees;



                                       15
<PAGE>   17
        o printers' fees;

        o accounting fees; and

        o the fees and distribution of our outside counsel.

        We will not pay underwriters' or brokers' discounts and commissions or
the fees or disbursements of counsel for any selling shareholder.

        The selling shareholders are not restricted as to the price at which
they may resell the shares. Any resales may have an adverse effect on the market
price of the common stock. In addition, it is possible that a significant number
of shares could be sold at the same time, which also may have an adverse effect
on the market price of the common stock.

        We have agreed to indemnify the selling shareholders against certain
civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.


                                       16
<PAGE>   18


                                 LEGAL MATTERS

        The legality of the shares offered by this prospectus is being passed
upon by Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich LLP, Palo Alto, California.

                                    EXPERTS

        Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, have audited our consolidated
financial statements and schedule included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1998, as set forth in their report, which contains
an explanatory paragraph describing conditions that raise substantial doubt
about our ability to continue as a going concern as described in Note 1 to the
consolidated financial statements, which is incorporated by reference in this
prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement. Our financial statements
and schedule are incorporated by reference in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP's
report, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.


                                       17
<PAGE>   19
                         WHERE TO FIND MORE INFORMATION

        We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and
other information with the SEC. These reports, proxy statements and other
information filed with the SEC may be inspected and copied at the SEC Public
Reference Room, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549.

        You may obtain information about the operation of the SEC Public
Reference Room by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. You can also inspect this material
free of charge at a Web site maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov.
Finally, you can also inspect reports and other information concerning SciClone
at the offices of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., Market
Listing Section, 1735 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006. SciClone common
stock is traded on The Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "SCLN."
SciClone's Internet web site is located at http://www.sciclone.com.

                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

        The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" information that we file
with them which means that we can disclose important information to you by
referring you to these documents. The information incorporated by reference is
an important part of this prospectus and information we later file with the SEC
will automatically update and supersede this information. The following
documents filed by us with the SEC are incorporated in this prospectus by
reference:

        -      Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998,
               filed on March 31, 1999 (File No. 0-19825);

        -      Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on April 26, 1999 (File No.
               0-19825);

        -      Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31,
               1999, filed on May 14, 1998 (File No. 0-19825);

        -      The description of SciClone's Common Stock contained in
               SciClone's Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed under the
               Securities Exchange Act, including any amendment or report filed
               for the purpose of updating that description (File No. 0-19825).

        We also incorporate by reference all documents and reports filed by us
pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 after the date of this prospectus. We will provide free of charge to each
person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus is delivered,
upon written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated
by reference in this prospectus. Please direct such requests to Investor
Relations, SciClone Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 901 Mariner's Island Boulevard, Suite
205, San Mateo, California 94404. Our telephone number is (650) 358-3456.



                                       17
<PAGE>   20
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


  WE HAVE NOT AUTHORIZED ANYONE TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR MAKE ANY
 REPRESENTATION OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS
      PROSPECTUS. YOU SHOULD RELY ONLY ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS
   PROSPECTUS. THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS CORRECT AS OF THE DATE OF
           THIS PROSPECTUS. DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS AFTER THE DATE
                     INDICATED BELOW DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE
                          INFORMATION IS STILL CORRECT.



                         SCICLONE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.


                                  COMMON STOCK

                     1,370,145 SHARES ISSUED AND OUTSTANDING

                                       AND

                      1,553,324 SHARES SUBJECT TO WARRANTS


                                   ----------

                                   PROSPECTUS

                                   ----------

                              _______________, 1999

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   21

                                     PART II
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 14.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.

        The following table sets forth the costs and expenses in connection with
the sale and distribution of the securities being registered, other than
underwriting discounts and commissions. All of the amounts shown are estimates
except the Securities and Exchange Commission registration fees and Nasdaq
filing fee.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   To be Paid
                                                                     By The
                                                                   Registrant
                                                                   ----------
<S>                                                                <C>
SEC Registration Fee                                                  $ 1,563
Nasdaq filing fee                                                     $17,500
Accounting fees and expenses                                          $10,000
Legal fees and expenses                                               $25,000
Miscellaneous expenses                                                $   937
                                                                    ---------
        Total......................................................   $55,000
                                                                    =========
</TABLE>


- ----------------


ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

        As permitted by Section 204 of the California Corporations Code (the
"CCC"), the Registrant's Articles of Incorporation provide that each person who
is or was or who had agreed to become a director or officer of the Registrant or
who had agreed at the request of the Registrant's Board of Directors or an
officer of the Registrant to serve as an employee or agent of the Registrant or
as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall be indemnified by the Registrant
to the full extent permitted by the CCC or any other applicable laws. Such
Articles of Incorporation also provide that no amendment or repeal of such
Articles shall apply to or have any effect on the right to indemnification
permitted or authorized thereunder for or with respect to claims asserted before
or after such amendment or repeal arising from acts or omissions occurring in
whole or in part before the effective date of such amendment or repeal.

        The Registrant's Bylaws provide that the Registrant shall indemnify to
the full extent authorized by law any person made or threatened to be made a
party to an action or a proceeding, whether criminal, civil, administrative or
investigative, by reason of the fact that he, his testator or intestate was or
is a director, officer or employee of the Registrant or any predecessor of the
Registrant or serves or served any other enterprise as a director, officer or
employee at the request of the Registrant or an predecessor of the Registrant.
The Registrant's Bylaws also provide that the Registrant may enter into one or
more agreements with any person which provides for indemnification greater or
different than that provided in such Articles of Incorporation.

        The Registrant has entered into indemnification agreements with its
directors and certain of its officers.

        The Registrant intends to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of
any person who is a director or officer against any loss arising from any claim
asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, subject to
certain exclusions.

        See also the undertakings set out in response to Item 17 herein.




                                      II-1
<PAGE>   22
ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS.

        The following exhibits are filed with this Registration Statement:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   EXHIBIT NO.                      DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
   -----------                      ----------------------
<S>                 <C>
       5.1          Opinion of Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich LLP.
      23.1          Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors.
      23.2          Consent of Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich LLP (included in
                    Exhibit 5.1).
      24.1          Power of Attorney (included in the Signature Page contained
                    in Part II of the Registration Statement).
</TABLE>

ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS.

        A.     The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

        (1)    To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
               made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

               (i)    To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of
                      the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act");

               (ii)   To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
                      after the effective date of the registration statement
                      (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof)
                      which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a
                      fundamental change in the information set forth in the
                      registration statement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,
                      any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered
                      (if the total dollar value of securities offered would
                      not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation
                      from the low or high end of the estimated maximum
                      offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus
                      filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in
                      the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent
                      no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate
                      offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
                      Registration Fee" table in the effective registration
                      statement;

               (iii)  To include any material information with respect to the
                      plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the
                      registration statement or any material change to such
                      information in the registration statement; provided,
                      however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not
                      apply if the information required to be included in a
                      post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained
                      in periodic reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to
                      Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
                      Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the
                      registration statement.

        (2)    That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
               Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be
               deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
               securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
               at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
               thereof.

        (3)    To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
               amendment any of the securities being registered which remain
               unsold at the termination of the offering.

        B. The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
        determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
        Registrant's annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of


                                      II-2
<PAGE>   23
        the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in
        the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration
        statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering
        of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
        fide offering thereof.

        C. The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to deliver or cause to
        be delivered with the prospectus, to each person to whom the prospectus
        is sent or given, the latest annual report to security holders that is
        incorporated by reference in the prospectus and furnished pursuant to
        and meeting the requirements of Rule 14a-3 or Rule 14c-3 under the
        Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and, where interim financial
        information required to be presented by Article 3 of Regulation S-X are
        not set forth in the prospectus, to deliver, or cause to be delivered to
        each person to whom the prospectus is sent or given, the latest
        quarterly report that is specifically incorporated by reference in the
        prospectus to provide such interim financial information.

        D. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
        Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers, and controlling
        persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or
        otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
        Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against
        public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore,
        unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
        such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses
        incurred or paid by a director, officer, or controlling person of the
        Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit, or proceeding)
        is asserted by such director, officer, or controlling person in
        connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will,
        unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by
        controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the
        question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as
        expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
        adjudication of such issue.

        E. The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that:

        (1)    For the purposes of determining any liability under the
               Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of
               prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in
               reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus
               filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or
               497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of the
               registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

        (2)    For the purposes of determining any liability under the
               Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a
               form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration
               statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
               offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
               the initial bona fide offering thereof.


                                      II-3
<PAGE>   24

                                   SIGNATURES

               Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized in the City of San Mateo, State of California on August 4, 1999.

                                                SCICLONE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
                                                By:  /s/  Donald R. Sellers
                                                    ----------------------------
                                                    Donald R. Sellers
                                                    President, Chief Executive
                                                    Officer and Interim Chief
                                                    Financial Officer


        KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints Donald R. Sellers and Shawn K. Singh, and
each of them, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with
full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her
name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments
(including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement on Form
S-3, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto
said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to
do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done
in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might
or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorney-in-facts and agents, or either of them, or their or his substitute or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             SIGNATURE                              TITLE                     DATE
             ---------                              -----                     ----
<S>                                   <C>                                 <C>
/s/ Donald R. Sellers                 President, Chief Executive          August 4, 1999
- --------------------------------      Officer, Interim Chief Financial
Donald R. Sellers                     Officer and Director (Principal
                                      Executive, Financial and
                                      Accounting Officer)

/s/ Jere E. Goyan                     Chairman of the Board and Director  August 4, 1999
- --------------------------------
Jere E. Goyan, Ph.D.

/s/ John D. Baxter                    Director                            August 4, 1999
- --------------------------------
John D. Baxter, M.D.

/s/ Edwin C. Cadman                   Director                            August 4, 1999
- --------------------------------
Edwin C. Cadman, M.D.

/s/ Rolf H. Henel                     Director                            August 4, 1999
- --------------------------------
Rolf H. Henel
</TABLE>



                                      II-4
<PAGE>   25
                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   EXHIBIT NO.              DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
   -----------              ----------------------
<S>                 <C>
       5.1          Opinion of Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich LLP.
      23.1          Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors.
      23.2          Consent of Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich LLP (included in
                    Exhibit 5.1).
      24.1          Power of Attorney (included in the Signature Page contained
                    in Part II of the Registration Statement).
</TABLE>



<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1


                 [GRAY CARY WARE & FREIDENRICH LLP LETTERHEAD]



August 4, 1999


Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549

RE:  SCICLONE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
     REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

As legal counsel for SciClone Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a California corporation
(the "Company"), we are rendering this opinion in connection with the
preparation and filing of a registration statement on Form S-3 (the
"Registration Statement") relating to the registration under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, of 2,923,469 shares of Common Stock (the "Shares"), issued
by the Company or issuable upon exercise of warrants issued by the Company in
connection with the Company's July 2, 1999 financing.

We have examined such instruments, documents and records as we deemed relevant
and necessary for the basis of our opinion herein after expressed. In such
examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures and the
authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity
to the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies.

Based on such examination, we are of the opinion that the 1,370,145 Shares
issued by the Company are, and the 1,553,324 Shares issuable upon exercise of
the warrants, when issued in accordance with the terms of the warrants, will be,
duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement referred to above and the use of our name wherever it
appears in said Registration Statement.

This opinion is to be used only in connection with the issuance of the Shares
while the Registration Statement is in effect.

Respectfully submitted,


/s/ GRAY CARY WARE & FREIDENRICH LLP

GRAY CARY WARE & FREIDENRICH LLP



<PAGE>   1
Insert Exhibit 5.1


                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1



               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

        We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in
the Registration Statement on Form S-3 and the related Prospectus of SciClone
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for registration of 2,923,469 shares of its Common Stock
and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated March 17,
1999, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of
SciClone Pharmaceuticals, Inc. included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1998 filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.


                                                        /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP


Palo Alto, California
July 29, 1999


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