Boost for Biota Research Productivity: Drug Discovery Head Wins Inaugural BioBusiness Award 

Embargoed until 1 March 2007

Boost for Biota Research Productivity:

Drug Discovery Head Wins Inaugural BioBusiness Award

Dr John Lambert, Biota Executive Director Drug Discovery, is one of two leading life scientists chosen from a highly competitive field of candidates to receive the inaugural Advancing BioBusiness Award. The Award aims to expand international connections for Australian science and facilitate more global collaborations for local biotechnology companies.

Biota Holdings Limited (ASX:BTA), a world-leading anti-viral drug development company, is set to improve its research productivity measurement tools, thanks to this new initiative by Merck Sharp & Dohme and Advance.

Dr Lambert will attend the world’s largest biotechnology meeting, the Biotechnology Industry Organisation international convention in Boston in May, which will attract some 22,000 participants from around the globe. He will also participate in a tailored program of meetings with leading American organisations and individuals including venture capital firms, research institutes, biotechnology entrepreneurs and biopharmaceutical companies, to further his knowledge and build valuable international networks and collaborations to benefit Biota and the Australian industry.

Dr Lambert said the number of new drugs coming from major pharmaceutical companies has fallen over the past decade, creating a market for smaller, nimble, innovative players in the biotechnology sector. While Australian companies such as Biota have benefited from this trend through international licensing agreements, there is a real opportunity to gain more recognition for the quality and cost effectiveness of Australian medical research.

“One of the key drivers for the sustainability and long term success of Biota and the Australian biotechnology industry is to ensure we are more efficient and effective at early stage research and development than big pharmaceutical companies,” said Dr Lambert.

“Very little benchmarking and information sharing on measuring research efficiency is undertaken so I am keen to meet with peers at other world-leading biotechnology and biopharmaceutical companies to discuss best practice. Australia has a strong reputation for research and science and we want to build on this through continual innovation,” he said.

Professor Graham Macdonald, External Licensing Co-ordinator at Merck Sharp & Dohme and chair of the Advancing BioBusiness Award judging panel, said Dr Lambert was a stand-out winner for the award because his company was at a critical position in its drug development program with some good international licensing agreements secured and new compounds in early development or clinical trials.

“We expect John will benefit significantly from top level meetings with major players in the United States as will the Australian health and medical research industry when he shares his new knowledge back at home as part of the initiative,” said Professor Macdonald.

Based in Melbourne, Biota has a proud history as a world-leader in antiviral drug development and a track record of bringing products to the market.

Biota’s initial success was the discovery of zanamivir, the first-in-class neuraminidase inhibitor for the treatment and prevention of influenza. Zanamivir is licensed to GlaxoSmithKline and marketed as Relenza™. Relenza is used to treat seasonal influenza and is currently being stockpiled by various governments for defence against possible pandemic outbreaks of avian (bird) influenza. The company also developed influenza diagnostics FLU OIA® and FLU OIA A/B®, currently marketed by Inverness Medical as part of the BioStar range.

In 2006, Biota commenced a phase I clinical trial of its human rhinovirus (HRV) drug for the prevention and treatment of one of the major causes of the common cold which is also thought to be a major cause of exacerbations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma.

Biota also has key partnerships with:

Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH to develop and commercialise Biota's novel nucleoside analogues for the treatment of hepatitis C virus;

MedImmune Inc to develop Biota's lead compounds aimed at RSV (respiratory syncytial virus);

Sankyo for the development of second generation influenza antivirals

About Advance (www.advance.org)

Advance is a community of Australian professionals overseas headquartered in New York City, with established chapters in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington DC and London with several others in formation around the globe. Advance recognises the importance of maintaining connection with the one million Australians in our diaspora making their mark in boardrooms, science laboratories, arts institutions, classrooms and communities worldwide. We provide online and live services and events in major industry sectors, enabling Australians abroad to be informed ambassadors-at-large who open doors and opportunities for Australia and Australians across the globe. Advance is an independent not-for-profit with an educational and charitable fund in the United States.

About Merck Sharp & Dohme

Merck Sharp & Dohme is the Australian subsidiary of the global research-based pharmaceutical company Merck & Co Inc. Since 1995, Merck Sharp & Dohme has brought more than 20 new medicines to Australians, including therapies to treat high blood cholesterol, osteoporosis, asthma, high blood pressure and HIV/AIDS. In the next five years, Merck Sharp & Dohme anticipates bringing many more medicines to Australians, including significant advances in diabetes and cancer. Through its ongoing support of innovative research and science in Australia - from sponsoring the Australian Science Olympiads for high school students to actively partnering with Australian researchers to bring their discoveries to the world – Merck Sharp & Dohme hopes to uncover tomorrow’s advances in disease treatment and prevention.

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Media Contact:              Jackie Crossman
Crossman Communications
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