Another Biota related article. This one from the Sunday Mail and posted on www.news.com.au Thought someone out there might be interested:
Anti-flu drug set for market
By BRAD CROUCH
4oct98
A POWERFUL Australian-developed anti-influenza drug could be on sale around the world next winter, with approval being sought for release in Europe, the US and Canada.
The landmark drug, developed by the CSIRO, fights all forms of the 'flu virus, which has previously managed to outwit vaccines by mutating into virulent new strains.
Clinical trials run by Flinders Medical Centre show the drug, Relenza, significantly reduces the duration and severity of 'flu symptoms.
Public health authorities, including Australia, are appraising Relenza and it may be approved in time for use next winter. The international market for the drug is estimated to be worth at least $2 billion.
The CSIRO, Victorian College of Pharmacy and local pharmaceutical firm Biota, which helped develop the drug, stand to reap handsome royalties through world sales by drug giant, Glaxo Wellcome.
The 'flu has long been a problem because it mutates rapidly, throwing up new strains resistant to existing vaccines.
However, CSIRO scientists lead by South Australian, Dr Peter Colman, found a tiny region that occurs on all strains of the virus.
Using computers, the researchers designed an innovative drug that locks onto this section and plugs it, stopping the virus from causing infection.
CSIRO deputy chief executive, Dr Bob Frater, said the success of the clinical trials should open a global market. "The overseas applications seek approval to use the drug as a preventative, as well as a cure, while in Australia it has only been filed for treatment of 'flu," he said.
The breakthrough in locating a common area in all strains of a mutating virus has huge implications for other dangerous viruses such as HIV, the virus responsible for AIDS.
CSIRO officials say the concept of identifying the structure of a virus then using a drug to control the structure could lead to innovative ways to treat a range of diseases including hepatitis.
Dr Colman, who shared the 1996 Australia Prize with colleagues for more than two decades of research on the project, now heads the Biomolecular Research Institute in Melbourne.
The 'flu uses variations of two proteins to disguise itself from the human immune system and vaccines.
"New pandemics of 'flu, such as the Asian, Spanish and various outbreaks of Hong Kong, arise from major changes in one or other of these proteins," said Dr Colman.
"Often the changes are from cross-overs from other species, such as pigs or poultry, which makes it even more difficult to predict and counter new strains." |
