Biota’s new flu drug ‘as effective as 10 doses of tamiflu’

The Commercial Chemist ^ | 14 Aug 2009 | Matt Wilkinson

[neverdem]

Australian pharmaceutical firm, Biota, has said that Phase III trials of its new influenza drug laninamivir (CS-8958) have shown that a single inhaled dose of the drug was as effective as 10 doses of Roche’s Tamiflu administered orally over a 5 day period. The drug is a second generation neuraminidase inhibitor and is based on zanamivir, the active ingredient in Relenza, which Biota sold to GlaxoSmithKline.

The study was conducted by Japanese pharma firm Daiichi Sankyo, which co-owns the drug, and included 1000 patients that had confirmed, naturally acquired influenza A or B. Preclinical studies have shown laninamivir to be effective against influenza A & B virus as well as the H5N1 avian flu, while a recent study published in Nature indicated it was also active against H1N1 swine flu.

AZ turns to Forest for antibacterials

AstraZeneca and Forest Laboratories are teaming up to co-develop and commercialise Forest’s next generation cephalosporin antiinfective, ceftaroline. According to the firms, the drug demonstrates bactericidal activity against a range of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and multi-drug resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (MDRSP).

BP joins the algal biofuel race

BP has signed a joint development agreement with US algal oil company Martek to work on the production of biofuels. BP has said it will contribute up to $10 million in the initial phase of the collaboration, which will see Martek develop optimised strains of algae.

‘Martek is pleased to partner with BP’s Alternative Energy team, to combine our unique algae-based technologies and intellectual property for the creation of sustainable and affordable technology for microbial biofuel production,’ said Steve Dubin, chief executive of Martek.

The move follows ExxonMobil’s recent collaboration with Synthetic Genomics and Shell’s collaboration with HR Biopetroleum...

[neverdem]

micro ping

[Born Conservative]

That’s like saying that “6 tablets of Zithromax is as effective as 40 tablets of Erythromycin”. (not sure if it actually is, but this new one obviously has a much longer half life, hence a single dose course being as effective as a full course of Tamiflu)

[Tarheel]

Tamiflu resistant H1N1 has shown up in the state of Washington as well as four or more foreign countries. Relenza is still working.

[Secret Agent Man]

I’ll wait until I see the adverse reactions, thanks. In the meantime, mega vitamin c, vitamin D vitamin a, and garlic.

[Smokin' Joe]

Ping... (Thanks again, neverdem!)

[Freedom56v2]

Thanks for posting—my son’s chemE, so he will find this blog really interesting.

[Larousse2]

I just bought some "Nature's Sunshine" brand Vitamin D3, that is 2 capsules = 4,000mg. of D3. I am taking it to help build up my Immune System. Additionally, Life Extension Foundation (http://www.lef.org) has the powdered Vitamin C that is buffered, and 1 teaspoon = mega amount of Vitamin C.. (can't locate my container). I read on one of the Threads that 4 cloves of crushed, fresh garlic = 1 dose of penicillin.

Oh, me! To further our anxieties, have you seen the FDIC list of Failed Banks? Argentina's banks have closed because of the Swine Flu. See this: August 14, 2009 FDIC List of Failed Banks