By Daniel Costello
A possible H1N1 flu virus drug, Peramivir, might also be a life saver for its developer, BioCryst Pharmaceuticals. The Birmingham, Ala.-based biotechnology company has been unprofitable since it was founded in 1986 but has not yet had a drug reach the market. The company's stock has risen nearly 30% in the past week.
On Thursday, the federal government ordered, on an emergency basis, 10,000 treatment courses of peramivir for its national stockpile. It is paying $22.5 million, or about $2,250 a patient.
Peramivir is an intravenous drug intended to treat the flu in patients who are hospitalized, and too sick to take an oral treatment. The government has authorized use of peramivir as a treatment for the swine flu, but clinical testing is expected to continue until 2011.
categories: News
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