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                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.2



                                           Contact: Shawn K. Singh, J.D.
                                                    Chief Administrative Officer
                                                    650/358-1451


         SCICLONE REPORTS $2 MILLION ZADAXIN(R) SALES IN SECOND QUARTER
            AND COMPLETES $4 MILLION INSTITUTIONAL PRIVATE PLACEMENT


San Mateo, CA, July 22, 1999 - SciClone Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: SCLN) today
reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 1999 and
announced it has completed a $4 million institutional private placement aimed at
enabling the Company to achieve profitable operations by the end of 2000.

For the second quarter, SciClone reported record ZADAXIN sales of $2,001,000, a
150% increase over the quarter ended June 30, 1998 and a 27% increase over the
first quarter of 1999. Additional second quarter 1999 revenues of $107,000
resulted from the initial installment of a grant from the Cystic Fibrosis
Foundation for phase 2 development of CPX, the Company's drug for cystic
fibrosis. Net loss for the quarter was $1,511,000 ($0.07 per share), compared to
a net loss of $6,848,000 ($0.44 per share) for the second quarter of 1998. Net
loss for the quarter reflects a one-time reversal of an accrual for research and
development expense. Last year's second quarter included a one-time non-cash
expense of $3,143,000. For the six months ended June 30, 1999, SciClone reported
a net loss of $4,134,000 ($0.20 per share), compared to a net loss of
$10,533,000 ($0.68 per share) for the same period in 1998.

SciClone also said it has completed a $4 million private placement with
strategic institutional investors led by Brown Simpson Asset Management and New
York Life Insurance Company. The offering, structured similarly to the Company's
$2 million private placement earlier this month, consisted of units of
approximately 2.5 million shares of common stock, each accompanied by a warrant
to purchase one share of common stock.

"With our sixth consecutive quarter of better than 25% quarter-to-quarter sales
growth we remain right on track to meet our near-term goal of self-sustaining
profitable operations by the end of 2000," said Donald R. Sellers, SciClone's
President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are very pleased to have this strong


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SCICLONE REPORTS $2 MILLION ZADAXIN SALES IN SECOND QUARTER AND COMPLETES $4
MILLION INSTITUTIONAL PRIVATE PLACEMENT
July 22, 1999
Page 2 of 2

group of strategic institutional investors. We believe the $7.5 million we have
raised since April has essentially removed the financial risk from our
near-term goal, and allows management to execute our plan for significant
long-term earnings growth."

The Company's cash and investments currently total approximately $6.4 million.

ZADAXIN is approved for marketing in 14 countries, principally as a treatment
for hepatitis B and hepatitis C. SciClone has filed for ZADAXIN marketing
approval in 19 additional countries.

SciClone Pharmaceuticals is a global biopharmaceutical company that acquires,
develops and commercializes specialist-oriented drugs for treating chronic and
life-threatening diseases, such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, cystic fibrosis,
cancer and immune system disorders. Press releases and corporate information
from SciClone Pharmaceuticals are available on the Internet at www.sciclone.com
or by calling the Company's Investor Relations Department at 800/724-2566.
SciClone's common stock is listed on the Nasdaq National Market[R] under the
symbol SCLN.

The information in this press release includes certain forward-looking
statements concerning the Company's current expectations regarding future
events, including the Company's expectations regarding funding of operations,
financing and corporate partnering activities, its ability to continue growth
in ZADAXIN sales, to operate profitably and achieve significant earnings growth
by the end of the fourth quarter of the year 2000. Actual events could differ
materially from those projected herein. Actual events or results could differ
materially depending upon a number of factors, including future ZADAXIN sales
in particular. Investors should consult the Company's filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, particularly the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998, for additional information on
risks and uncertainties relating to these forward-looking statements.