Is it Too Early to Start Swine Flu Therapies?

Published by Maribel Rios on April 28, 2009 under Biotech, Manufacturing, Trends

Maribel Rios PharmTech editorThe almost overnight public concern and media attention over the swine flu outbreak has again turned the attention to pandemic preparedness. Officials continue to encourage preventive actions and precautions, noting that, as of yet, it is still unknown whether current vaccines and antivirals will have any effect against the strain responsible for this outbreak. It is also unknown whether those who received a vaccination during the 1976 US swine flu outbreak will have some protection against the current strain. Read more »

Virus Changes Pose New Difficulties

Published by Maribel Rios on March 10, 2009 under Biotech, Formulation, R&D

Maribel Rios PharmTech editorIt is inspiring to read news about the advancements being made in the fight against viral infections, including those against influenza and HIV. However, as comments to recent blog posts have reminded me, the struggle to develop antiviral therapies is highly complicated because viruses have the infamous tendency to mutate and adapt in their fight for survival and conquest of healthy cells. A major part of formulating and developing antivirals is trying to get some handle on a virus’s unpredictable nature, how it will change, and how these modified forms will strengthen our understanding of its interworkings. Read more »

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