Melbourne, Australia — 20 April 2010: Biota Holdings Limited (ASX:BTA) has received notice from Boehringer Ingelheim that their 2006 Collaboration and Licence Agreement (CLA) for the development of nucleoside drugs for the treatment of hepatitis C (HCV) infections has concluded.
Under the CLA, the parties worked jointly on the research program from late 2006 until November 2009, at which stage the program was transferred to Boehringer Ingelheim. Boehringer Ingelheim cited lack of progress on identifying a suitable pre-clinical candidate from the program as the key reason for the decision.
Rights revert to Biota with the conclusion of the Agreement.
Biota further advises that negotiations on the licensing of the LANI (long acting neuraminidase inhibitors) and HRV (human rhinovirus) programs are continuing.
About Biota
Biota is a leading anti-infective drug development company based in Melbourne Australia, with key expertise in respiratory diseases, particularly influenza. Biota developed the first-in-class neuraminidase inhibitor, zanamivir, subsequently marketed by GlaxoSmithKline as Relenza. Biota research breakthroughs include a series of candidate drugs aimed at treatment of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease and Hepatitis C (HCV) virus infections. Biota has clinical trials underway with its lead compound for human rhinovirus (HRV) infection in patients with compromised respiration or immune systems.
In addition, Biota and Daiichi Sankyo co-own a range of second generation influenza anti-virals, of which the lead product laninamivir, is in late stage clinical development.
Relenza™ is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.
*Further information available at www.biota.com.au
