Development of Biota RSV anti-viral halted

Published: 10-Aug-2009

Australian drug developer Biota Holdings and AstraZeneca UK have completed a Phase Ia clinical trial for Biota's respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) anti-viral drug BTA9881, but further development of the compound has been halted.


Australian drug developer Biota Holdings and AstraZeneca UK have completed a Phase Ia clinical trial for Biota's respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) anti-viral drug BTA9881, but further development of the compound has been halted.

Biota says the overall drug profile of BTA9881 did not meet the required safety margin to continue its development, although it exhibited approximately 100% oral bioavailability in humans and a safety profile comparable to placebo at the doses examined. The pharmacokinetic profile also indicated a very long plasma half-life in humans, the company says.

AstraZeneca will terminate its licence agreement with Biota as soon as practical. All rights in the Biota RSV programme revert to Biota.

Biota says it will invest approximately US$3m in 2010 for the development of promising back-up compounds and to re-licence the programme in the future.

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