US buys more bird flu vaccine from Biota
Australian drug developer Biota received a boost following a decision by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to add another 12.3 million courses of Relenza, the drug developed by Biota, to its stockpile of bird flu medication.
Australian drug developer Biota received a boost following a decision by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to add another 12.3 million courses of Relenza, the drug developed by Biota, to its stockpile of bird flu medication.
By 2008, the HHS plans for Relenza to make up 20% of the 81m course in its stockpile of drugs to combat an outbreak of bird flu. The HHS already has 26m courses on hand, including 3.9m of Relenza.
The HHS said that it preferred Relenza to rival bird flu drug Tamiflu. Relenza is owned by GlaxoSmithKline, although Biota receives a 7% sales royalty.