OREANDA-NEWS. On 08 May 2009 JSC Pharmstandard (LSE: PHST LI, RTS: PHST RU) announces that Arbidol® may be used for prevention and treatment of “swine influenza” (А / H1N1/ "California 04/2009" strain).

Unlike immunomodulating and homeopathic products, Arbidol® has a direct antiviral effect. Arbidol® belongs to fusion inhibitors; it interacts with the virus hemagglutinin and thus prevents fusion of the viral envelope with cell membranes.

Arbidol® is active against А and В influenza viruses, including H1N1, H2N2, H3N2 and Н5N1 subtypes. Besides, Arbidol® is active against a number of other acute respiratory viral infection (ARVI) viruses (adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, coronavirus, including SARS virus). Its antiviral activity was successfully proved in numerous studies performed in leading Russian research centers and independent laboratories in USA, UK, Australia, France and China.

According to the latest data provided by Virology Research Institute of the RAMS directed by D.K. Lvov, Academician of RAMS, the analysis of the genome of A/Н1N1 influenza virus, which caused an outbreak in Mexico and the southern states of the USA in April 2009, has shown that the virus genome does not have ammo-acid replacements related with resistance to Arbidol®. Taking the above into consideration, we can make a preliminary conclusion that Arbidol® may be effective against this virus subtype.