Peramivir is an experimental antiviral drug being developed by Biocryst Pharmaceuticals to treat influenza A/B. The development of peramivir is supported by the US Department of Health and Human Services as part of the government's effort to prepare for a flu pandemic. The drug has had a long history. An oral formulation was abandoned by Johnson and Johnson due to poor bioavailability. BioCryst is now developing a injectable version, in partnership with Green Cross Pharmaceuticals in South Korea and with Shionogi Pharmaceuticals in Japan. The drug is in Phase II studies. (en)
Peramivir is a neuraminidase inhibitor, acting as a transition-state analogue inhibitor of influenza neuraminidase and thereby preventing new viruses from emerging from infected cells. (en)