OREANDA-NEWS. November 15, 2012. Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited (hereafter, Daiichi Sankyo), announced today that it has submitted an application for a partial label change in Japan to manufacture and market the influenza antiviral product Inavir® Dry Powder Inhaler (laninamivir octanoate hydrate) for prevention of influenza infection.

Inavir® is a long-acting neuraminidase inhibitor with therapeutic efficacy after a single dosage which was developed and produced by Daiichi Sankyo. The drug received approval for manufacture and marketing for treatment of influenza A and B viruses in Japan on September 10, 2010 and was launched on October 19, 2010.

The safety and efficacy of Inavir® in the prevention of influenza virus infection among household contacts of patients with influenza A or B virus infection was confirmed in phase 3 clinical trials, the results of which were announced by press release on August 22, and this application in Japan for the prevention of Influenza infection is based on those results.

Daiichi Sankyo firmly believes that this new influenza prevention option will widely contribute to the health of patients and society.