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Test drug hope for avian influenza

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An inhaled dose of an experimental influenza drug saved more mice from avian influenza than the preferred drug Tamiflu after the rodents were infected with a normally deadly dose of the H5N1 flu, a study has revealed.

The experimental CS 8958, or laninamivir, from Daiichi Sankyo Co Ltd, also protected against infection, said the report by Yoshihiro Kawaoka of the University of Wisconsin.

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The team infected mice with H5N1 and gave a dose of the test drug two hours later. This was found to prevent infection. They said CS-8958 looks promising for a new neuraminidase inhibitor to prevent and treat influenza patients infected with H5N1 and other subtype viruses. Experts fear H5N1 could cause a pandemic.

The report, which has been published in the Public Library of Science Journal PLoS Pathogens, covers one of the dozens of ongoing studies of a new batch of influenza drugs that various companies are developing.

Copyright Press Association 2010

Department of Health






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