Peramivir

Peramivir is an experimental antiviral drug being developed by Biocryst Pharmaceuticals to treat influenza. Peramivir is a neuraminidase inhibitor, acting as a transition-state analogue inhibitor of influenza neuraminidase and thereby preventing new viruses from emerging from infected cells. The development of peramivir is supported by the US Department of Health and Human Services as part of the government's effort to prepare for a flu pandemic.

The drug has had a long history. An oral formulation was abandoned by Johnson and Johnson due to poor bioavailability. BioCryst is now developing a injectable version, in partnership with Green Cross Pharmaceuticals in South Korea and with Shionogi Pharmaceuticals in Japan. The drug is in Phase II studies.

Experimental data indicate that peramivir may have useful activity against many viruses of interest, including H5N1 (avian bird flu), hepatitis B, polio, measles and smallpox. Peramivir is active in a hamster model of yellow fever, a finding which is not surprising, given the familial relationship of yellow fever and hepatitis C viruses as flaviviridae. Peramivir is active against other important flaviviridae such as West Nile virus and dengue fever.