Melbourne, Jan 30, 2009 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Biota Holdings Limited (ASX:BTA)(PINK:BTAHY) today announced that GlaxoSmithKline (LON:GSK) has been awarded a significant contract by the UK Department of Health for 10.6 million treatment courses of RelenzaTM (zanamivir).
Biota notes that the UK Government's decision to purchase zanamivir is consistent with recommendations published by the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) and the UK's Royal Society and Academy of Medical Sciences. Both separately recommend the diversification of antiviral stockpiles to include zanamivir in addition to Tamiflu(R) (oseltamivir), especially with the emerging evidence of resistance.
With this new agreement, the UK becomes the second European country, alongside France, to hold a treatment stockpile sufficient to treat 50 per cent of their population.
Whilst financial terms have not been disclosed, Biota estimates that when the contract is completed, it may represent a royalty income of up to A$18 million.
Contact
Investor / Analyst Enquiries
Biota Holdings Limited
Peter Cook,
T: +61 3 9915 3720
Damian Lismore,
T: +61 3 9915 3721
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