The Skolkovo Foundation has joined the effort to create the new antiviral agent called triasavirin developed by Urals scientists. Alexander Petrov, head of the Urals Pharma Cluster, reported to TASS Urals regional press centre today that the developers had filed an application for the third phase of clinical trials of the drug.
“We are planning to launch commercial production of triasavirin in December 2011 and release the first batch of the antiviral agent in early 2012. All equipment at the facility producing the drug is air-cushioned. It is easy to move and the clean rooms can be easily decontaminated after production of triasavirin,” says Alexander Petrov.
The drug was developed by the experts of the Urals Centre for Biopharmaceutical Technologies, which belongs to the Urals Pharma Cluster. The cluster includes the Institute of Organic Synthesis and Institute of Metal Physics of the RAS Urals Division and twelve drug manufacturers. Around twenty investors have expressed their interest in funding the project.
Research has shown that triasavirin can offer effective treatment of both bird flu (H5N1) and pig flu (H1N1). Another important advantage of the drug is that it keeps killing viruses throughout the duration of a disease, not just in the first days of treatment.