If approved, peramivir would serve as the third drug to be used for flu treatment in Japan in addition to Tamiflu and Relenza, which are made by foreign manufacturers.
Shionogi said its new drug application filing with Japan's Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry is the first in the world for marketing approval of peramivir, which is administered intravenously.
Although the Osaka-based pharmaceutical firm intends to launch the new drug next fall, it is prepared to start selling it earlier -- as soon as it gains approval -- depending on the epidemic situation of influenza and other circumstances.
Isao Teshirogi, president of Shionogi, said at a press conference in Osaka, "We want to bring forth a new therapeutic drug as soon as possible so as to prepare for a major outbreak of the new influenza."
Shionogi has the right to domestically develop and sell peramivir, developed by BioCryst Pharmaceuticals Inc. of the United States.
To see more of Kyodo News International, go to http://www.kyodonews.com Copyright (c) 2009, Kyodo News International, Tokyo Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.

More News:
Market Updates |
Stock Alerts |
All Trading News |
Stock Index