Biota to start phase 1b human rhinovirus trial

By Elaine Rigoli

Tampa, Fla., Aug. 2 - Biota Holdings, Ltd. announced that the phase 1a human safety trial of its human rhinovirus drug was successfully completed and the drug had received Independent Ethics Committee approval to continue into phase 1b.

BTA798 is an antiviral for the treatment of human rhinovirus, the common cold virus, known to cause significant clinical complications in sufferers of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the fourth leading cause of death in the United States.

The phase 1a trial was an ascending single-dose, double-blind oral study in 24 healthy volunteers. BTA798 was demonstrated to be safe and generally well-tolerated in humans, the company said in a news release.

The phase 1b trial is scheduled to start this month.

"While still early in the overall clinical program, the result supports our decision to take BTA798 into the clinic. Progress through human trials should create substantial additional value for shareholders and can be adequately funded through Biota's improved financial position," chief executive officer Peter Cook said in a news release.

Biota is a drug-development company based in Melbourne, Australia.

© 2015 Prospect News.
All content on this website is protected by copyright law in the U.S. and elsewhere. For the use of the person downloading only.
Redistribution and copying are prohibited by law without written permission in advance from Prospect News.
Redistribution or copying includes e-mailing, printing multiple copies or any other form of reproduction.