Daiichi Sankyo launches flu drug Inavir inhaler in Japan; expands deal with ArQule; gets favorable patent ruling against Lupin

Japanese drug major Daiichi Sankyo (TSE 4568) yesterday launched its anti-influenza treatment Inavir (laninamivir octanoate) Dry Powder Inhaler 20mg in Japan. The drug - developed in cooperation with Australia’s Biota - was approved for manufacture and marketing last month (The Pharma Letter September 14) and drug price listing was effected on October 4.

Inavir is a long-acting neuraminidase inhibitor with therapeutic efficacy after a single dosage developed by Daiichi Sankyo, which says that it shows the same efficacy with a single dose as a five-day administration of oseltamivir (Roche’s Tamiflu). As a new treatment option for influenza, Daiichi Sankyo is confident that Inavir® will be an important alternative for treating influenza, both benefiting patients and contributing to society.

In order to prepare for this year's flu season Daiichi Sankyo plans to supply 2 million units of the treatment (40mg) by the end of December 2010 and 4 million units (40mg) by the end of March 2011. Daiichi Sankyo says the addition of Inavir will further strengthen the company’s lineup for preventing and treating infectious diseases.