CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif., Nov. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- U.S. BioDefense, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: UBDE - News) is pleased to announce today that it has met the deadline and submitted an RFQ to Roche Holding in response to the need for greater TAMIFLU® production. After receipt of the application and review of the information, U.S. BioDefense, Inc. will be informed by Roche of the outcome of the evaluation process and the next steps.
Governments are scrambling to buy vaccines, but production is limited. Under pressure from generic-drug companies, developing nations, and the United States, Roche agreed late October to discuss granting licenses to others to make versions of TAMIFLU®, which was originally developed by Gilead Sciences. Sales of the drug doubled in the third quarter to about $211 million.
According to Dr. Cyndi Chen, Director of Research at U.S. BioDefense, “TAMIFLU® is considered by many as the first line of defense against the H5N1 avian flu virus. This virus is of great concern as it could spark an influenza pandemic human-to-human transmission occurs. The drug currently can reduce the severity of influenza and may slow the transmission between humans.”
CEO David Chin stated, “We are hopeful that we will be able to accelerate our involvement with strategic vaccination efforts world wide and further update our shareholders accordingly. Due to the increased demand for TAMIFLU® and increased concerns over potential influenza pandemic, Roche (the makers of TAMIFLU®) has decided to look for parties interested in toll manufacturing of dosage forms or oseltamivir API (active pharmaceutical ingredient) for Roche’s antiviral drug TAMIFLU®. The interested parties will help fulfill the demands from the United States and other countries world-wide.”
Meanwhile, Chiron, the Emeryville-based maker of the Fluvirin influenza shot, won a $62.5 million contract to provide an experimental vaccine for the U.S. government’s preparations against avian flu. Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt said the deal is one of a least five in the United States has awarded to bolster medical defense against H5N1, the virus that has killed at least 62 people in Asia.
Forward-Looking Statements
Included in this release are certain “forward-looking” statements, involving risks and uncertainties, which are covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the U.S. BioDefense’s financial performance. Such statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to certain factors, risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, events and performance to differ materially from those referred to or implied by such statements. In addition, actual future results may differ materially from those anticipated, depending on a variety of factors, including continued maintenance of favorable license arrangements, success of market research identifying new product opportunities, successful introduction of new products, continued product innovation, the success of enhancements to the U.S. BioDefense’s brand image, sales and earnings growth, ability to attract and retain key personnel, and general economic conditions affecting consumer spending, including uncertainties relating to global political conditions, such as terrorism. Information with respect to important factors that should be considered is contained in the U.S. BioDefense’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The U.S. BioDefense does not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this release to conform these statements to actual results or to changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law.
Contact: U.S. BioDefense, Inc. David Chin 626-961-0562 info@usbiodefense.com
Source: U.S. BioDefense, Inc.
