BioCryst names two additional Peramivir partnerships

USA-based BioCryst Pharmaceuticals says that it has signed agreements with two additional partners who will exclusively represent its anti-viral peramivir for influenza stockpiling opportunities for territories outside of the USA.

BioCryst's new partners are Merck Serono (part of German drug major Merck KGaA) for Europe, Russia, Canada and Singapore and Jordan-headquartered Hikma Pharmaceuticals for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, excluding Israel. BioCryst and its seven regional partners for peramivir cover all major and the majority of smaller pharmaceutical markets globally.

"Each of these companies has strong commercial infrastructures and established regulatory contacts in their respective territories, making them attractive partners for peramivir within these important markets," said Jon Stonehouse, president and chief executive of BioCryst, adding that the company "has received peramivir emergency use inquiries from
various countries in these regions, and we look forward to working with Merck Serono and Hikma to make peramivir available during the ongoing influenza pandemic."

BioCryst is currently enrolling patients in two peramivir Phase III trials intended to support US regulatory approval for influenza. Approximately 300 study locations are targeted to participate in these studies globally, the firm says.