BioCryst Pharma Says FDA Approves RAPIVAB In Acute Uncomplicated Influenza

(RTTNews) - BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc., (BCRX) Monday said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved RAPIVAB (peramivir injection), an intravenous neuraminidase inhibitor for the treatment of acute uncomplicated influenza in patients 18 years and older who have been symptomatic for no more than two days.

In a blinded, randomized placebo-controlled trial, a single dose of RAPIVAB alleviated flu symptoms, and reduced fever significantly faster than placebo.

"RAPIVAB is the first neuraminidase inhibitor that has shown to be safe and effective as a single-dose, i.v. therapy for patients with acute, uncomplicated influenza, and represents the first new antiviral treatment for influenza approved by the FDA in 15 years," said Richard Whitley, M.D., University of Alabama at Birmingham.