Total votes: 8

Biota is a leading anti-infective drug development company, based in Melbourne, Australia. Biota's initial success was the discovery of zanamivir (Relenza), 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.

Daiichi Sankyo: for the development of second generation influenza antivirals (called LANI or long-acting inhaled neuraminidase inhibitors) which was approved in Sept. 2010 to market as a drug in Japan.

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.

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.

Cash Position January 2011:  approx. $77 million

Net profit 2009-10: $16.2M (revenue $63.7M)

Related companies or competition:
 - Tamiflu by Roche
 - Gilead Sciences
 - NexBio Inc

Partners: GlaxoSmithKline (Relenza), Daichi Sankyo (long acting Relenza), Boehringer Ingelheim (HCV)

Possible Upcoming Events: 

 - possible licensing of long-acting Relenza for the US market