A Japanese research team has succeeded in producing Tamiflu, an antiviral drug considered the best defense against bird flu, from a chemical compound instead of the botanical ingredient used by the Swiss manufacturer F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Japanese media reported on Saturday.

The team, led by Professor Masakatsu Shibasaki from University of Tokyo, used 1,4-cyclohexadiene to make the drug through the so- called asymmetrical catalysis, thus producing a better way to stabilize the Tamiflu supply because chemicals are less affected by climate conditions than botanical ingredients, researchers said.

The university has applied for a patent on the method and the research team has expressed its willingness to cooperate with Roche for commercialization of their study fruit.

For fear of a pandemic sparked by bird flu, many countries have been trying recently to stockpile Tamiflu, currently made from shikimic acid, which is found in a fruit named star anise often used as a spice in Chinese cuisine.

Source: Xinhua