U.S. BioDefense Seeks To Manufacture Roche’s Tamiflu
This article was originally published in The Pink Sheet Daily
Executive Summary
Department of Defense contractor says details of how Roche will sublicense manufacturing responsibilities for the antiviral remain undecided.
|
U.S. BioDefense has submitted an application to Roche for a license to manufacture the antiviral Tamiflu (oseltamivir), the firm announced Nov. 29. Responding to concerns about a potential avian flu pandemic, Roche said in October that it would consider granting manufacturing rights for non-commercial use to other firms, including Mylan, Barr, Teva and Ranbaxy (1 (Also see "Roche To Meet With Generic Firms On Tamiflu Rights After Intervention From Senators" - Pink Sheet, 20 Oct, 2005.)). According to U.S. BioDefense, Roche had set an application deadline of Nov. 23. U.S. BioDefense clarified that Roche had been looking for "parties interested in toll manufacturing" either completed dosage forms of Tamiflu or the oseltamivir active pharmaceutical ingredient. Details of how Roche will sublicense manufacturing responsibilities remain undecided, U.S. BioDefense said. "After receipt of the application and review of the information, U.S. BioDefense, Inc. will be informed by Roche of the outcome of the evaluation process and the next steps," the firm stated. U.S. BioDefense is a central contractor for the Department of Defense. -Kathleen Michael |