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news.For the treatment and prevention of the Influenza A(H1N1) and drug-resistant influenza
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NexBio in collaboration with scientists at the centers for disease control and prevention (CDC), has published two studies that suggests DAS181 (Fludase) may play a potentially important role for the treatment and prevention of the pandemic influenza A(H1N1) and drug-resistant influenza.
DAS181 is studied in human clinical trials for treatment and prevention of Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) caused by any strain of influenza and parainfluenza viruses.
The company said that one of the published paper entitled ‘Novel Pandemic Influenza A(H1N1) Viruses are Potently Inhibited by DAS181, a Sialidase Fusion Protein’ evaluated the antiviral activity of DAS181 against multiple pandemic influenza A(H1N1) viral clinical isolates in a number of preclinical models.
In studies performed at the CDC, DAS181 treatment given after infection by a pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus completely prevented animal death. It also successfully prevented viral replication and weight loss in these animals.
In the second published paper entitled ‘Inhibition of Neuraminidase Inhibitor-Resistant Influenza Virus by DAS181, a Novel Sialidase Fusion Protein’, the activity of DAS181 against clinical isolates of seasonal H1N1 influenza virus collected from influenza patients during 2004, 2007, and 2009 was studied. The isolates from 2007 and 2009 are all resistant to Tamiflu as all contain the H274Y mutation known to cause such resistance. Notably, all isolates were strongly inhibited by DAS181.
NexBio claims that a laboratory strain of influenza which is resistant to all three NAIs (oseltamivir, zanamivir, peramivir) in vitro was inhibited by DAS181 in cell culture and in animals in the study.
Fang Fang, president of research & development at NexBio, said: “Unique among licensed influenza drugs and those in clinical development, DAS181 uses a Host-Oriented Therapeutic (HOT) strategy. Our goal for the continued advanced clinical development of DAS181 is to bring a potentially important new medicine to the treatment and prevention of this worldwide problem.”