New source of Tamiflu ingredient could boost production

Roche is battling to meet demand for Tamiflu by increasing its external contractors and finding new methods to produce shikimic acid, the main starting material for Tamiflu. But the shikimic acid used in the manufacturing of Tamiflu is obtained almost exclusively from the pods of the star anise, a fruit that is found mainly in China and whose availability has dwindled due to high demand for the flu drug. American chemists however have found that seeds of the sweetgum fruit contain significant amounts of shikimic acid, in a discovery that could prove vital, as demand for the drug skyrockets amidst bird flu fears. "Source"[ http://www.in-pharmatechnologist.com/news/ng.asp?n=67038-roche-tamiflu-bird-flu-shikimic-acid-star-aniseg].

---