-
Tamiflu - Source: Reuters -
Related
Scientists have established the first case of the new H1N1
influenza strain showing resistance to Tamiflu, the main antiviral
flu drug, Danish officials and the manufacturer said.
"While receiving the drug, the patient appeared to develop
resistance to it," David Reddy, Roche Holding AG's pandemic
taskforce leader, told reporters on a conference call on a case
observed in Denmark.
"This is the first report we have of it in H1N1."
Common seasonal flu can resist Tamiflu and Reddy said a case of
resistance in H1N1 - also know as swine flu - was not
unexpected.
Roche had been working on strategies to counter such a
development.
The World Health Organization declared an influenza pandemic
earlier this month and advised governments to prepare for a
long-term battle against an unstoppable new flu virus.
The WHO had no immediate comment on the case of Tamiflu
resistance.
The United Nations agency raised its pandemic flu alert to Phase 6
on a six-point scale, indicating the first influenza pandemic since
1968 is under way.
"The person is well now and no further contagion with the resistant
virus has been detected," Denmark's State Serum Institute said in a
statement.
Roche shares closed up 1.4% at 149 Swiss francs, outperforming a
0.7% firmer DJ Stoxx European drugs index .
This case does not change the recommendation to use Tamiflu, the
institute said.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has expressed
concern the new strain may mix with seasonal flu strains, which are
still circulating.
The WHO has said Tamiflu was working against strains of the new
H1N1 flu but some analysts have expressed concern it might be less
effective than Relenza, GlaxoSmithKline's inhaled drug, since there
have been widespread reports of resistance by seasonal H1N1
flu.
The seasonal strain of H1N1 is a distant cousin of the swine flu
and was widely resistant to Tamiflu this year.
