Fujifilm and BioCryst Lagging In Ebola Race
This article was originally published in PharmAsia News
Executive Summary
While a few pharma firms are ramping up production of their untested Ebola treatments with the prospect of reaping substantial sales, Fujifilm Holdings’ and BioCryst’s drugs are still at the preclinical stage.
While a few pharmaceutical firms are ramping up production of their untested Ebola virus treatments with the prospect of reaping substantial sales, Fujifilm Holdings’ and BioCryst’s candidates are still at the preclinical stage. Canada's Tekmira has been drawing attention with its RNA interference drug, which the U.S. FDA said is safe enough for testing in Ebola-infected patients despite recently halting an early-stage U.S. trial due to side-effects. Fujifilm's drug for treating influenza has shown some signs of efficacy in mice for treating the Ebola virus, but like BioCryst’s candidate, has not been tested in monkeys, which is considered a key test before beginning human trials. (Click here for more
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"As Ebola Claims Lives, Drug Makers Race To Test Medicines" - New York Times (8/13/2014)