Peregrine's bavituximab shows potential activity against avian flu in initial testing

By Elaine Rigoli

Tampa, Fla., May 24 - Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. said its lead antiviral compound bavituximab (formerly Tarvacin) completely inhibited replication of a laboratory strain of the H5N1 virus, commonly known as avian flu, in fertilized chicken eggs, an in-vivo model for influenza antiviral activity.

Bavituximab, a monoclonal antibody, has already demonstrated good tolerability in a phase l trial in patients with hepatitis C virus infection, the company said in a news release.

The H5N1 studies were conducted at a number of independent research laboratories, the release said.

Peregrine said it has been collaborating with other researchers to evaluate the potential of bavituximab delivered by different routes of administration to treat infections caused by influenza A, the viral family that includes the H5N1 strain.

Located in Tustin, Calif., Peregrine is a biopharmaceutical company with a portfolio of product candidates in clinical trials for the treatment of cancer and hepatitis C virus infection.

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