Medivir substance effective against resistant Hepatitis B virus in laboratory tests
Medivir substance effective against resistant Hepatitis B virus in laboratory tests nd Dr Hong Zhang from Medivir presented new results with FLG at the 2 International Symposium on Antiviral Drugs, Beijing 5-7 November. This substance is in preclinical development primarily against hepatitis B infections. In laboratory tests performed at Southern Research Institute, Maryland FLG has recently shown effect against lamivudine-resistant hepatitis B virus. Lamivudine (3TC, Glaxo) is one of the most effective drugs against hepatitis B available today. Resistance development is an increasing problem in treating hepatitis B and combination therapy is likely to be necessary in the future. WHO has estimated that 350 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis B of which approximately one third are in China. The most common therapy today is treatment with interferon, which has limited efficacy and significant side-effects. Medivir's patent applications on FLG prodrug will last to year 2017. Huddinge 8 november 1999 Medivir AB (publ) For further information please contact: Anna Bernsten, Vice President Business Development and Investor Relations, Medivir AB, phone +46 8 608 31 05, +46 709-369 069 or e-mail anna.bernsten@medivir.se. Information about Medivir on internet: www.medivir.se Medivir is a research and development company which develops new and better substances for the treatment of infectious diseases. The subsidiary company CCS AB develops, manufactures and markets body-care products and pharmaceuticals. The Group, was introduced on the Stockholm Stock Exchange in November 1996 and consists of the parent company, Medivir AB, the CCS AB subsidiary and UK company CCS (UK) Ltd. ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/11/08/19991108BIT00350/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/11/08/19991108BIT00350/bit0002.pdf