Wednesday, December 9, 2009

BioCryst revisited

Shares of BioCryst Pharmaceuticals (BCRX) have declined over 40% from its peak as fears of the complicated H1N1 pandemic flu virus have waned, but recent developments may be bullish for the investigational drug company.

According to this article, the CDC is receiving a request for the antiviral Peramivir at a rate of one per minute, under the FDA's Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). It's a convoluted way of ordering Peramivir, but for now, it's the only method for doctors to obtain the life-saving drug for critically ill patients.
http://www.minnpost.com/craigbowron/2009/12/09/14111/the_fury_of_h1n1_meeting_the_virus_in_its_most_virulent_form_face_to_face

Green Cross, a marketing partner for BCRX's Peramivir, recently received an EUA for South Korea.
http://seekingalpha.com/article/177249-biocryst-s-korean-partner-receives-emergency-use-authorization

Former CEO and Chairman of Glaxo and former Vice Chairman of Squibb Charles Sanders was elected to BCRX's Board of Directors. This could signal a buyout from a big pharmaceutical company.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iJXedGlOvEnPut4_IJ9UgVWBgZIwD9CFQKQ80

BCRX partner Shionogi has received fast-track review designation in their quest for regulatory approval in Japan. This gives Peramivir at least a year head start in Japan, as Peramivir is still undergoing Phase III clinical trials in the US. Approval in Japan for Peramivir should occur in the first half of 2010.
http://seekingalpha.com/article/177446-biocryst-h1n1-antiviral-partner-gets-fast-tracked-for-japanese-review

Disclosure: long BCRX shares.

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