"TOKYO, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Daiichi Sankyo Co (4568.T), Japan's third-largest drugmaker, said it plans to apply by March 2010 for marketing approval in Japan of an influenza drug candidate, and seek approval in Taiwan, Hong Kong and South Korea soon afterwards.
The company is developing CS-8958 with the aim of treating influenza through a one-time only inhalation of the drug.
Rival influenza drugs from Roche (ROG.VX) and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK.L) that are already on the market require use twice a day for five consequent days.
"Prompted by rapidly increasingly needs for new influenza treatment, we have sped up the development of the drug and are now set to complete all our six lines of clinical tests, three for use in adults and three for children, by March," said Daiichi Sankyo director Daisuke Hiro.
Daiichi Sankyo, which last year bought a controlling stake in generic drugmaker Ranbaxy Laboratories (RANB.BO) of India, is looking for a partner in the United States and Europe to develop and market CS-8958, he said. (Reporting by Yumiko Nishitani)"
Source : Reuters
"Side effects of CS-8958 have been very minor, the company said."
"Daiichi Sankyo expects CS-8958 to be more effective on mutated bird flu viruses which develop resistance to Tamiflu and Relenza, the company officials said.
CS-8958, like Relenza, is an inhaled powder medication and a single dose will be effective for a week.
As Tamiflu and Relenza do, CS-8958 inhibits a protein called neuraminidase which influenza viruses use to expand infection. "
"The company hopes to have enough production capacities for CS-8958 at the time of approval for possible stocking by the Japanese government in case of a bird flu pandemic, Daiichi Sankyo's Hiro said."
Source : Dowjones
The company is developing CS-8958 with the aim of treating influenza through a one-time only inhalation of the drug.
Rival influenza drugs from Roche (ROG.VX) and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK.L) that are already on the market require use twice a day for five consequent days.
"Prompted by rapidly increasingly needs for new influenza treatment, we have sped up the development of the drug and are now set to complete all our six lines of clinical tests, three for use in adults and three for children, by March," said Daiichi Sankyo director Daisuke Hiro.
Daiichi Sankyo, which last year bought a controlling stake in generic drugmaker Ranbaxy Laboratories (RANB.BO) of India, is looking for a partner in the United States and Europe to develop and market CS-8958, he said. (Reporting by Yumiko Nishitani)"
Source : Reuters
"Side effects of CS-8958 have been very minor, the company said."
"Daiichi Sankyo expects CS-8958 to be more effective on mutated bird flu viruses which develop resistance to Tamiflu and Relenza, the company officials said.
CS-8958, like Relenza, is an inhaled powder medication and a single dose will be effective for a week.
As Tamiflu and Relenza do, CS-8958 inhibits a protein called neuraminidase which influenza viruses use to expand infection. "
"The company hopes to have enough production capacities for CS-8958 at the time of approval for possible stocking by the Japanese government in case of a bird flu pandemic, Daiichi Sankyo's Hiro said."
Source : Dowjones
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