Asian flu study a MARVEL
Monday, 17 November, 2008
Phase III trials of Biota’s neuraminidase inhibitor CS-8958 for influenza are set to begin in several centres throughout Asia.
CS-8958, which was discovered by Japanese pharma Daiichi Sankyo and is co-owned by Biota, is a long-acting neuraminidase inhibitor (LANI) that early trials suggest is effective against influenza A and B as well as the H5N1 bird flu virus.
It is hoped that a single inhaled dose will be efficacious for treatment of flu and another once a week for prophylaxis.
The Phase III trial, nicknamed MARVEL, will be conducted in multiple centres in Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Korea, in time for the Asian flu season. As well as the Phase III trial in adults, a Phase II/III study will be conducted in Japan for paediatric indications.
The duration of the trial will depend on the availability of patients and the extent of the flu season, Biota said in a statement.
Anti-inflammatory drug may help treat alcohol use disorder
A drug that is already FDA-approved for treating inflammatory conditions may help reduce both...
Osteoarthritis study uncovers new genetic links, drug targets
The genome-wide association study (GWAS) uncovered over 900 genetic associations, more than 500...
How brain cells are affected by Tourette syndrome
US researchers have conducted a cell-by-cell analysis of brain tissue from individuals with...