Roche applies to make child-sized Tamiflu

WASHINGTON, March 9 (Reuters) - Tamiflu maker Roche (ROG.VX: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) said it had applied to make a new child-sized dose of its influenza drug on Friday.

The company, which makes Tamiflu under agreement from California-based Gilead Sciences (GILD.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), said it had asked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for approval to make two smaller-sized doses of the capsules.

Tamiflu, known generically as oseltamivir, can both treat and prevent influenza if given soon enough. It works against both seasonal influenza and H5N1 avian influenza, which some experts fear could cause a pandemic if it mutates in just the right way.

It is currently made in 75 mg doses but Roche said 30 mg and 45 mg sizes would be easier for children to use. It also makes a liquid suspension, but that formulation expires after two years.

"With a longer shelf life than the liquid suspension formulation (five years vs. 24 months), Tamiflu pediatric capsules provide a better option for government pandemic stockpiling and can be administered to children for seasonal influenza," Roche said in a statement.

Governments and companies around the world are stockpiling Tamiflu and a rival drug, GlaxoSmithKline's (GSK.L: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) (GSK.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) Relenza, in case a pandemic does break out.

((Reporting by Maggie Fox, Editing by Sandra Maler; Maggie.Fox.Reuters.com@reuters.net;Washington Newsroom 202-898-8300)) Keywords: FLU/TAMIFLU

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