Biota confirms Relenza stockpiling in Germany
Australian antiviral drug developer Biota has had confirmation from its licensee, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), that the German government has placed an order for 1.7m packs of the flu antiviral Relenza.
Australian antiviral drug developer Biota has had confirmation from its licensee, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), that the German government has placed an order for 1.7m packs of the flu antiviral Relenza.
The German order is the first large stockpiling order for Relenza and Biota hopes this is the start of a revival in the drug's sales and that further stockpiling orders will follow.
'This is an important development,' said Biota ceo Peter Molloy. 'More Relenza has been sold in this single order than over the last five years combined.'
Biota is currently suing GSK for failing to promote and support Relenza after the drug's launch and is seeking damages of up to Au$430m (£183m). The case is scheduled for mediation in November 2005.
Biota receives a 7% royalty on sales of Relenza, which was launched in 1990 and in 2003/04 it reported around $0.5m (£0.2m) in royalty revenue. Similar levels are expected in the 2004/05 year.
The German order represents more than seven times last year's worldwide sales.