29 Jan 2010: In the US it is estimated that outbreaks of seasonal flu incur annual costs of more than $12 billion with a mortality rate of over 36,000 people. In the case of a pandemic, estimated annual costs would range from $71 to $167 billion for attack rates of 15%-35% of the population.

Beech Tree Labs is a privately held biopharmaceutical company specialising in discovery and early-stage development. It is a leader in resonant molecular signaling technology and holds a number of patents on other potential therapeutics.