Indus Biotech to develop antiviral for swine flu

Pune-based Indus Biotech plans to develop a new antiviral, which is derived from plant, to fight against the H1N1 virus. Meanwhile, Indus has filed an investigational new drug (IND) application with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the compound’s action against HIV, and subsequent research at one of the laboratories it works with at the National Taiwan University Hospital in Taipei, showed that the compound is very effective against H1N1 virus.

The company now proposes to develop this drug for influenza and H1N1, both as a drug as well as prophylactic as it promises to prevent the infection. The Indus team will present the data to the health ministry and seek its approval as India, unlike the US, doesn’t have guidelines for botanical drugs, drugs that are made from plant extracts.