New drug against influenza Coflusa

For the first time in 20 years, the American management under the control over products and medicines (FDA) approved a new drug from the flu Coflusa. Unlike other influenza drug Tamiflu, Coflusa has a different mechanism of action. Whether the drug is a revolutionary milestone in mankind’s struggle with the flu, is still unknown, but doctors have high hopes for this.

A bit of history

In February 2018, the Ministry of health of Japan has approved a new drug from the influenza blackwire marbocyl (or Soflusa). It is noteworthy that the new drug kills the flu virus in just a day, some symptoms may persist longer. The Japanese company-developer of the drug Shinogi and To have registered the drug as influenza, is able to cope with influenza viruses A and B.

In 2016, the Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche (Roche) entered into with Shinogi and To the agreement under which it Roche will supply Xflush worldwide, except Japan and Taiwan. Of course, Shinogi Ko from this transaction will be to obtain a certain amount of sales.

It is noteworthy that the Swiss Roche have lost the patent protection on the drug Tamiflu, and for this reason entered into an agreement with the Japanese to get right to disseminate a new, more effective drug against influenza.

Experts predict Shinogi and Co., a new drug against influenza should go on sale already in 2019, and given that the FDA already approved the drug, the Japanese forecasts of experts come true.

New drug effective against influenza viruses A and B. it has the potential to affect a resistant form of the virus resistant to drugs. Moreover, patients taking balaclavas-karboksil, we have not reported significant side effects.

How does the drug

Blackwire marbocyl is an inhibitor of cap*-dependent endonuclease** with a mechanism of action that is completely different from other drugs.

Unlike neuraminidase inhibitors*** on the basis of which manufactured drugs Tamiflu, relenza, Inavir and Rajab (which prevent the detachment of virions from the surface of infected cells), poloxamer marbocyl inhibits the replication of influenza virus. Is suppressed the initiation of mRNA synthesis of the first stage of reproduction of the virus when it enters the cell. Thus, the cell is no formation of proteins, which is necessary for the life of the virus.

Cap* one or more modified nucleotides on the end of the RNA.

Endonuclease** – enzymes, which cleave polynucleotide chains.

The neuraminidase***is an enzyme that represents a surface glycoprotein that cleaves sialic acid residue from polysaccharides of the erythrocyte membrane, thus destroying receptors for the virus on the cells of a host organism.

The evidence base

Because of blackwire marbocyl is a relatively new substance in the database Pubmed, while only nine articles, and they are all dated to 2018. Naturally, this article Japanese scientists who developed the drug.

As stated in the materials, Coflusa has antiviral activity against influenza viruses A and b in vitro and in vivo. In addition, the drug effective against avian influenza H5N1, H7N9 strain, and strains that show resistance to oseltamivir.

As expected, the world health organization does not recommend drugs for the flu (including Soflusa) in uncomplicated forms of the disease, as in this case, the disease resolves on its own. Appointment of antiviral preparations on the basis of neuraminidase inhibitors is indicated in severe clinical picture.

To confirm the effectiveness of the drug against influenza was conducted a multicenter randomized trial with double blinding CAPSTONE-2. The study showed that research participants flu symptoms disappeared 23-28, and in some cases 48 hours earlier in comparison with other antiviral drugs against influenza.

Among other results that demonstrate the benefit of Coflusa are the following:

the reduction in time warusawithana;
reducing the need to use antibiotics (by reducing the frequency of bacterial complications of influenza);
the reduction of these negative adverse reactions.

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