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Biota Holdings (ASX:BTA) GSK Imports Additional Relenza to Japan
Melbourne, Australia – 11 February 2009: Biota Holdings Limited (ASX:BTA)
today announced that GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has advised of the current Relenza
supply situation in respect to the key market of Japan.
Biota earns a 7% royalty on all global sales of Relenza by GSK.
A copy of the GSK release is attached.
- ends-
About Biota
Biota is a leading anti-infective drug development company based in Melbourne
Australia, with key expertise in respiratory diseases, particularly influenza.
Biota developed the first-in-class neuraminidase inhibitor, zanamivir,
subsequently marketed by GlaxoSmithKline as RelenzaTM.
Biota research breakthroughs have included a series of candidate drugs aimed at
treatment of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease, licensed to AstraZeneca
and novel nucleoside analogues designed to treat hepatitis C virus (HCV)
infections, licensed to Boehringer Ingelheim. Biota has clinical trials underway
with its lead compound for human rhinovirus (HRV) infection in patients with
compromised respiration or immune systems. In addition, Biota has a key
partnership with Daiichi-Sankyo for the development of second generation
influenza antivirals. Inverness Medical markets Biota’s co-developed OIA FLU
influenza diagnostics.
Relenza™ is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.
BioStar ® OIA® FLU and BioStar ® OIA® FLU A/B are registered trademarks of
Inverness Medical.
*Further information available at
www.biota.com.au
Investor / Analyst Enquiries
European Media Enquiries
Biota Holdings Limited
Peter Cook
T: +61 3 9915 3720
Damian Lismore
T: +61 3 9915 3721
College Hill Life Sciences
Adam Michael, Justine Lamond &
Benjamyn Tan
T: +44 (0)20 7866 7857
biota@collegehill.com
To the media
10th February 2009
GlaxoSmithKline K.K.
Additional Supply of anti-influenza virus drug Relenza for this flu season
GlaxoSmithKline K.K. (Head Office: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, President: Marc
Dunoyer, hereinafter referred to as GSK) has decided, based on this season’s
epidemic situation, to additionally import its anti-influenza virus drug Relenza
(generic name: zanamivir hydrate) in order to maintain a stable supply.
2 million packs of Relenza are to be additionally imported. 0.4 million packs
will be available in February, 0.6 million packs in March and 1 million packs in
April.
GSK originally prepared for this flu season with 3 million packs of Relenza.
This quantity is equivalent to meeting the requirement for half the
prescriptions of anti-influenza virus drugs in an average year. However, due to
reports that most of the prevailing A/H1N1 influenza virus, which accounts for
about half of the current epidemic, are resistant to another anti-influenza
virus drug this year, attention and demand for Relenza has increased
dramatically.
GSK believes that currently, there is enough Relenza in distribution in the
market, but in order to prevent stock accumulation, GSK is controlling its
shipment.
The additional importation of Relenza will enable GSK to maintain a stable
supply. Although it is not possible to predict the size and duration of this
season’s flu epidemic, GSK will continue with our efforts to provide Relenza to
all the patients who need it and promote its appropriate use.
生きる喜びを、もっと Do more, feel better, live longer
GlaxoSmithKline is one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical
and health care companies. GlaxoSmithKline is committed to improving the quality
of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer.
Enquiries from the media
Naomi Yoshida or Yoshiaki Komatsu
Tel: 03-5786-5041/5030
http://glaxosmithkline.co.jp
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