Island Pharmaceuticals begins manufacturing 5kg antiviral batch
- Island Pharmaceuticals has commenced physical manufacturing of its Galidesivir active pharmaceutical ingredient at PI Health Sciences.
- The company targets completing the first 5kg batch by late October to support emergency response efforts in Uganda.
- Production aims to generate human Ebola data, advance Marburg virus studies, and position the firm for potential future government procurement contracts.
Island Pharmaceuticals (ASX:ILA) commenced manufacturing of its active pharmaceutical ingredient, Galidesivir, on Oct. 1 to support viral treatment programmes.
The active drug production marks a transition into physical manufacturing following the expansion of the company's clinical supply chain.
Island Pharmaceuticals noted that the initial 5kg batch is targeted for completion by late October 2026 for emergency deployment in Uganda.
CEO and Managing Director, Dr David Foster, said, “The first 5kg campaign is now underway, and our immediate objective is to establish GMP supply that can support the approved MEURI programme while the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak remains active."
A second 5kg batch is targeted for completion by late November 2026 to support non-human primate studies for Marburg virus treatment under US FDA pathways.
The company stated that the programme strengthens deployment readiness and establishes supply for potential government biodefence procurement opportunities.
Following the announcement, the Island Pharmaceuticals share price was down at $0.36.
The company focuses its drug development pipeline on targeted antiviral therapies for infectious diseases with significant global health risks.
Its strategy relies on obtaining regulatory authorisations under emergency use frameworks such as the World Health Organisation's MEURI guidelines.
