BioCryst partner Green Cross gets Korean OK to make and market peramivir flu vaccine

USA-based BioCryst Pharmaceuticals says that its partner, South Korea-headquartered Green Cross Corp, has received marketing and manufacturing approval from the Korean Food & Drug Administration (KFDA) for intravenous peramivir to treat patients with influenza A and B viruses, including pandemic H1N1 and avian influenza. Green Cross intends to launch peramivir under the commercial name PeramiFlu in South Korea.

Jon Stonehouse, president and chief executive of BioCryst, commented: 'We are pleased that intravenous peramivir is now approved in Korea and represents the second country this year to make this important treatment option available for patients suffering from seasonal influenza. BioCryst continues to focus on completing the US development of IV peramivir as a potential treatment for hospitalized patients with seasonal influenza.'

Japanese marketing partner Shionogi started selling the product on its domestic market earlier this year, under the trade name Rapiacta.