SCOLR Pharma had previously announced a research collaboration with an undisclosed US-based biopharmaceutical company in September 2006.
Peramivir is being developed by BioCryst and 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 goal of the collaboration is to develop an oral delivery system for peramivir that improves bioavailability.
BioCryst will share all appropriate peramivir data with SCOLR to support its development efforts. If successful, the parties expect to enter a license agreement which would provide for the potential commercialization of peramivir.
BioCryst was recently awarded a $102.6 million, four-year contract from the US Department of Health and Human Services to develop the influenza neuraminidase inhibitor, peramivir, for the treatment of seasonal and life-threatening influenza, including avian flu. BioCryst has initiated a phase II trial of an intramuscular formulation of the drug peramivir.