From the ArcaMax Publishing, Health & Fitness Newsletter:
http://www.arcamax.com/news/healthtips/s-634544-165397
WASHINGTON (UPI) -- The intravenous flu drug peramivir has received
emergency approval for some hospitalized adults and children with
H1N1, U.S. federal regulators said.
Peramivir, developed by BioCryst Pharmaceuticals of Birmingham, Ala.,
is the only flu drug made to be used intravenously.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said in a release it granted
emergency approval Friday at the request of the U.S. Centers for
Disease Control.
The drug is to be use in hospitalized adults and children who can't
take or aren't responding to other flu medications, such as Tamiflu or
Relenza, which are made to be swallowed or inhaled, the FDA said.
"The FDA has reviewed the available scientific data and has concluded
that the criteria for authorizing the emergency use of IV peramivir
have been met," the agency said.
In 2007, BioCryst received $102.6 million under a four-year contract
to pursue development of the flu drug, which has yet to clear full
regulatory approval, the FDA said.