BioCryst’s Peramivir is a new flu drug that can kill deadly strains of bird flu, and this antiviral drug is promising to transform global preparations for an influenza pandemic.
Peramivir is part of a new class of antiviral agents that inhibit influenza viral neuraminidase, an enzyme essential for the influenza virus to spread and infect its hosts.
The drug was designed to treat and prevent various types of flu, and in laboratory tests has been shown to be a potent and selective inhibitor of influenza A and B neuraminidases.
Additionally, preclinical studies comparing peramivir with other anti-influenza drugs have demonstrated that peramivir has outstanding broad spectrum potency against multiple strains of influenza, including the avian strain H5N1.
In addition, peramivir retains activity against nearly all Tamiflu-resistant strains of influenza that have been identified to date.
BioCryst is currently focusing on injectable formulations of peramivir that may achieve high blood levels that should be effective against most strains of influenza, including strains that may be resistant to Tamiflu.