Biota Announces Relenza Royalty for March 2011 quarter

Biota Holdings Limited (ASX:BTA) advises that it has received written notification from GlaxoSmithKline that Relenza sales were $14.1 million and indicative royalties were $1.0 million, for the three months ended 31 March 2011. The figures were calculated on an Australian dollar exchange rate of 1.5576 to the UK pound, although the actual payment will be calculated on exchange rates at 30 April 2011.

Indicative Relenza royalty income for the nine months to 31 March 2011 is $4.3 million.

About Biota

Biota is a leading anti-infective drug development company based in Melbourne Australia, with key expertise in respiratory diseases, particularly influenza. Biota developed the first-in-class neuraminidase inhibitor, zanamivir, subsequently marketed by GlaxoSmithKline as Relenza. Biota research breakthroughs include a series of candidate drugs aimed at treatment of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease and Hepatitis C (HCV) virus infections. Biota has clinical trials underway with its lead compound for human rhinovirus (HRV) infection in patients with compromised respiration or immune systems.

In addition, Biota and Daiichi Sankyo co-own a range of second generation influenza anti-virals, of which the lead product lnavir®, is approved for marketing in Japan.

Relenza™ is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.

Inavir® is registered to Daiichi Sankyo.