|
If our influenza neuraminidase inhibitor drug candidate, BCX-1812, receives FDA or foreign regulatory approval, it will have to compete with a number of products that are already on the market such as vaccines, the drugs amantadine and rimantadine and over-the-counter products, and with additional products that may beat BCX-1812 to the market. If approved, BCX-1812 will be, at best, the third neuraminidase inhibitor to the market, because the FDA and foreign regulatory agencies approved Glaxo-Wellcome plc's neuraminidase inhibitor product and because the FDA also approved Hoffman-La Roche's neuraminidase inhibitor. Both Glaxo-Wellcome and Hoffmann-La Roche are large multinational pharmaceutical companies that have significant financial, technical and human resources and could therefore establish brand recognition and loyalty with consumers before BCX-1812 is on the market. In addition, a vaccine is currently in preclinical development that may immunize people against all strains of the flu virus, rendering flu drug products like ours obsolete. Products marketed by our competitors may prove to be more effective than our own, and our products, if any, may not offer an economically feasible or preferable alternative to existing therapies.IF WE FAIL TO ADEQUATELY PROTECT OR ENFORCE OUR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OR SECURE RIGHTS TO PATENTS OF OTHERS, THE VALUE OF OUR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS WOULD DIMINISH |
