MD 2009 – Anti Influenza Drugs

Aus Bio is uniquely placed to develop the next generation therapeutics to combat influenza as Aus Bio’s Senior Scientists were intimately involved, with others, in the design and synthesis of the neuraminidase inhibitors.

The first generation neuraminidase inhibitor known as Zanamivir or Relenza was developed and marketed by GSK. Sales revenue for 2009 was more than US$750m. The second generation anti flu drug, Laninamivir (or LANI) has a long lasting therapeutic benefit and only requires one administration.

Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) are known as “first generation” neuraminidase inhibitors and have a single Mode of Action. Unfortunately, but as predicted many years ago, there is now widespread viral resistance to Tamiflu, nearly 100% last year against seasonal influenza.

Over the past 12 months, Aus Bio’s Scientists have researched the design of the next generation anti influenza drugs which will have the following characteristics:

• Improved therapeutic performance.
• Improved anti viral potency.
• Results to date are very encouraging as of July 2010.