Therapeutic Systems Research Laboratories continues development of oral flu drug

Wednesday, November 10, 2010 | Source: Concentrate

Therapeutic Systems Research Laboratories, commonly known as TSRL, is continuing to develop its oral influenza drug and getting some help from Uncle Sam.

The Ann Arbor-based company recently received four four Qualified Therapeutic Tax Credit Grants worth $573,095 from the IRS for already funded SBIR projects. That money will help build out TSRL's anti-viral drug portfolio. At the head of that portfolio is an oral therapeutic that promises to help stop the spread of influenza after people have contracted it. The drug has the potential to manage flu symptoms.

"This is not a vaccine," says Elke Lipka, vice president of business development for TSRL. "This is for when you're already sick."

The University of Michigan spin-out plans to begin clinical trials in 2012 and hopes to license the drug to a large pharmaceutical firm in 2014. The actual drug could hit the market in 2016. For now, the 24-year-old firm plans to grow its revenue so it can add more independent contractors to its staff of 11 people.

Source: Elke Lipka, vice president of business development for TSRL
Writer: Jon Zemke

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