New Important Influenza/Avian Flu Drug Under Trial
Experts are heralding a new drug under trial in New Zealand as hugely significant in terms of treating a potential and far-reaching outbreak of influenza. Furthermore, they add, it could prove hugely beneficial in the treatment of avian flu. The drug, Peramivir, is the product of US drug firm BioCryst. Presently, seven “study centres” in New Zealand are being used for its trials, which involve patients who have contracted influenza. Just one injection of Peramavir is sufficient to halt the development of the enzyme which promotes the flu’s bodily expansion – neuraminidase. It is anticipated that the trials will last into September, 2007.
One of the centres involved is the Auckland-based Greenhithe Medical Centre. In charge of operations there is Dr Nick Gailer, who yesterday spoke in-depth to the media regarding the status of the trials, and their wider significance. He highlighted how Peramavir had huge implications in potentially treating all forms of influenza, in addition to avian flu. In the long term, the advent of this drug to the market could, he added, reduce flu symptoms in terms of both their severity, and their duration.
Furthermore, if there was sufficient evidence that Peramavir could exterminate flu from the nasal passages more rapidly that the current generation of drugs, the length of time that patients held on to the disease and were thereby contagious would also drop.
Eligibility in the current trials is being determined by how long the applicants taking part have had the flu – with 48 hours being the cut off point. The trials are but one strand of BioCryst’s testing period for Peramavir – with further research being undertaken in South Africa, Australia and the Northern Hemisphere. They follow funding into the drug by the US government to the tune of $100 million.
At present, it is too premature to put a market value on Peramavir. However, its approximate equivalent is Tamiflu, which costs $80 for five day’s worth of pills.
Biocryst Pharmaceuticals Inc. itself is heavily involved in the development of therapeutics in the treatment of diseases such as cancer, heart and auto-immune conditions, and viral infections.
Source – Pharmaceutical International’s Research and Development Analyst
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