Daiichi Sankyo has received Japanese approval to manufacture and market a laninamivir octanoate hydrate prodrug, Inavir dry powder inhaler 20mg, for the treatment of influenza.
Daiichi Sankyo has developed Inavir, a neuraminidase inhibitor, for the Japanese market.
Inavir directly delivers the drug to the infected airways of influenza patients and a single inhaled dose has proven to be as effective as a five-day course of oseltamivir for the treatment of influenza.
A dry powder inhaler is a device that delivers medication to the lungs in the form of a dry powder.These are an alternative to the aerosol based inhalers commonly called metered-dose inhaler which may require some procedure to allow a measured dose of powder to be ready for the patient to take.
Daiichi Sankyo is engaged in developing and selling antibacterial agents and influenza vaccines.