MELBOURNE, Australia, Nov. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Biota Holdings has been informed that the Canadian Government will increase the overall stockpile of antivirals to 55 million courses, and increase the proportion of Relenza(R) (zanamivir) to 5.5 million courses. The purchase follows the May 2006 decision by the Canadian Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers of Health to step up its efforts to strengthen the public health capacity in preparing for an influenza pandemic.
Peter Cook, Biota CEO, said, “It is pleasing to see Canada’s ongoing review of their antiviral stockpile and as a consequence a significant increase in Relenza. When delivered by GlaxoSmithKline, this increase should provide in excess of US$6.8 million in royalties to Biota.”
About Biota
Biota is a leading antiviral drug development company based in Melbourne, with key expertise in respiratory diseases, particularly influenza. Biota developed the first-in-class neuraminidase inhibitor, zanamivir, and subsequently marketed by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) as Relenza. Relenza is currently being stockpiled by a number of national governments for defense against avian influenza. Biota receives royalties from sales of Relenza.
Recent Biota research breakthroughs have included a series of candidate drugs aimed at RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus, bronchiolitis), subsequently licensed to MedImmune, Inc. Biota has Phase I clinical trials underway with HRV (human rhinovirus) and is also engaged in early stage research targeting hepatitis C virus infection. In addition, Biota has key partnerships with Sankyo for the development of second generation influenza antivirals (called LANI or Long Acting Neuraminidase Inhibitors) and with Inverness Medical; Biota developed the FLU OIA(R) influenza diagnostics, currently marketed in the US.
(TM)Relenza is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.
(R)FLU OIA & FLU OIA A/B are registered trademarks of Thermo Electron Corporation.
*Further information available at http://www.biota.com.au. Investor / Analyst Enquiries Media Enquiries Biota Holdings Limited David Sheon Peter Cook T: 202 518-6321 Damian Lismore T: + 61 3 9915 3721
Biota Holdings Limited
CONTACT: Investor or Analyst Enquiries: Peter Cook or Damian Lismore ofBiota Holdings Limited, +61 3 9915 3721; or Media Enquiries: David Sheon,+1-202-518-6321, for Biota Holdings Limited
Web site: http://www.biota.com.au/
