QDIS Blog

A second drug, Relenza (zanamivir) has been approved by the FDA for prevention on the flu.

Relenza

While it has been approved since July 1999 for treating the flu, it is now approved for preventing it. The only other drug approved for prevention of the flu in the US is Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate). This is good news in that there are now alternative to Tamiflu if a world wide flu pandemic should occur. Also, Relenza is inhaled while Tamilfu is taken orally. Also, the manufacturing process appears to be much simpler than Tamiflu involving 6 steps and starts from a more readily available material (sialic acid).

Also, a Taiwan company is said to have cracked the manufacturing process although they have stated they have no interest in infringing on GlaxoSmithkline’s patent on Relenza. The same Taiwan company is said to also have identified the manufacturing process for Tamilfu as well.

Tamiflu

I recently posted about Roche having additional contract manufacturers lined up to potentially make Tamiflu if needed.

Relenza is manufactured and distributed by GlaxoSmithKline; Tamiflu is manufactured and distributed by Roche.

Email Ed Vawter

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