Germany stockpiling Relenza

Biota (ASX:BTA) said Germany placed an order for 1.7 million packs of inhaled influenza drug Relenza zanamavir through BTA partner GlaxoSmithKline (LSE:GSK; GSK). Governments have been considering early use of neuraminidase inhibitors, including Relenza and Tamiflu oseltamivir from Gilead (GILD) and Roche (SWX:ROCZ), in the event of an influenza pandemic.

BTA receives a 7% royalty on GSK's Relenza sales. BTA said it did not know the price that the German government will pay for Relenza but noted that the drug normally sells for $20 per pack in Germany. BTA is seeking up to A$430 million in damages in a lawsuit against GSK and is alleging that the pharma company failed to support and promote Relenza (see BioCentury Extra, Wednesday July 27, 2005). ...