Japanese pharma in deal with Australian biotech 8 October 2010 The Japanese pharmaceutical company, Daiichi Sankyo, has received approval in Japan to manufacture and market a new treatment for influenza developed by the ASX-listed Australian biotech, Biota Holdings. As part of the agreement, Daiichi Sankyo will undertake extensive Japanese clinical trials and pay Biota a royalty on all sales in Japan. The Biota product - Inavir® (laninamivir octanoate) - is the first drug of a new class of long acting neuraminidase inhibitors to address the limitations of current products which require daily or more frequent dosing. Melbourne-based Biota is a leading anti-infective drug development company with expertise in respiratory diseases, particularly influenza. The company developed the neuraminidase inhibitor, zanamivir, which was subsequently marketed by GlaxoSmithKline as Relenza. The Tokyo-headquartered Daiichi Sankyo has a solid record in developing and selling antibacterial agents, as well as influenza vaccines. Inavir® complements the company’s line-up for primary and secondary influenza infection treatments. More information |