Shares of Peregrine Pharmaceuticals were buoyed this morning by news that an early-stage trial of anti-viral compounds showed signs of efficacy in preventing the avian flu virus from replicating. The company used bavituximab to stop the H5N1 virus from making copies of itself in chicken eggs. Peregrine plans to begin clinical trials next month.
- read the AP report for more
PLUS: The death of seven members of the same Indonesian family is raising fears of human-to-human transmission. Article
ALSO: The cluster isn't likely to persuade the WHO to raise the alert level for a pandemic. The reason: The virus hasn't mutated yet. Report (WSJ sub. req.)