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Biota (ASX:BTA) Australian Government stockpiles an additional 1.6 million
courses of Relenza
Melbourne, Australia — 29th May 2009: Biota Holdings Limited (ASX:BTA)
today announced that the Federal Government has purchased an additional 1.6
million courses of Relenza for the National Medical Stockpile to bolster
supplies of antiviral drugs to treat pandemic influenza. The purchase cost is
A$43 million.
GlaxoSmithKline Australia (GSK) has confirmed that the purchase accurately
reflects a supply contract recently signed by GSK with the Federal Government.
On completion of the supply contract, the Australian National Medical Stockpile
will include 3.4 million courses of Relenza, comprising 33% of the total
stockpile of influenza antivirals.
Biota earns a 10% royalty on all Australian sales of Relenza.
-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 Relenza. 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 anti-virals.
Relenza™ is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.
*Further information available at
www.biota.com.au
Investor / Analyst Enquiries
Biota Holdings Limited
CEO Peter Cook
T: +61 3 9915 3720
CFO Damian Lismore
T: +61 3 9915 3721
European Media Enquiries
College Hill Life Sciences
Adam Michael, Justine Lamond & Benjamyn Tan
T: +44 (0)20 7866 7857
biota@collegehill.com
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