Our Business
Biota is a leading anti-infective drug development company, based in Melbourne, Australia and Oxford, UK.
Biota's initial success was the discovery of zanamivir, the first-in-class neuraminidase inhibitor for the treatment and prevention of influenza. Zanamivir is licensed to GlaxoSmithKline and marketed as Relenza™. Relenza is used to treat seasonal influenza and is currently being stockpiled by various governments for defence against possible pandemic outbreaks of influenza.
Biota also has key partnerships with:
- Boehringer Ingelheim: where it has a licence and collaboration agreement to develop and commercialise Biota's novel nucleoside analogues, designed to treat hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections and potentially other diseases.
- Daiichi Sankyo: for the development of second generation influenza antivirals (called LANI or long-acting inhaled neuraminidase inhibitors).
In 2009:
- Phase IIa clinical trials of its lead human rhinovirus (HRV) drug achieved clinical proof-of-concept. The drug is aimed at prevention and treatment of one of the major causes of the common cold which is also thought to be a major cause of exacerbations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma.
- Phase III trials for laninamivir in Asia were shown to be effective. Daiichi Sankyo, who co-own the LANI program have elected to market the drug in Japan.
- Biota expanded its antibacterial interests following the asset acquisition of Prolysis Limited and MaxThera Inc.
The Company's research pipeline also extends beyond respiratory diseases, including early stage research targeting the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and respiratory synctial virus (RSV).
Biota is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX:BTA).