AVI seeks orphan status for experimental SARS drug
Friday, 15 August, 2003
US firm Avi BioPharma has asked US regulators to grant 'orphan' status to its experimental drug against the virus that causes SARS, a designation meant to provide seven years of marketing exclusivity for medicines.
The Portland, Oregon-based drugmaker said it will seek the special status for its medicine, AVI-4179, based on positive pre-clinical data.
The US Food and Drug Administration grants orphan status to drugs for diseases that annually affect fewer than 200,000 Americans. The special designation is meant to encourage drug makers to develop products for rare or relatively uncommon ailments.
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