SYDNEY - Shares in Biota Holdings Ltd. jumped A$0.23 to A$4.63 on the Australian exchange following news last week that its U.S. development partner filed for FDA approval of a flu diagnostic kit.

As previously reported Glaxo Wellcome Australia has kicked off registration of the flu drug Relenza, owned by Biota, by applying for registration in Australia. (See BioWorld International, April 8, 1998, p. 2.)

Last week's announcement involved the related development of a flu detection kit by BioStar Inc., of Boulder, Colorado. Known as AB FLU OIA, the kit combines Biota's rights to the Relenza technology with BioStar's diagnostic technology and, pending FDA approval, is likely to be launched on the U.S. market later this year, ahead of the Northern Hemisphere's winter.

Last week Biota said sales of the kit, which permits flu to be diagnosed in the doctor's office, will be limited until the general release of Relenza. - Mark Lawson