BioCryst CEO Charles Bugg Featured Speaker, Birmingham Venture Club Meeting

Thursday, March 16, 2006 / 11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.

Birmingham, AL (PRWEB) March 3, 2006 -- The Chairman and CEO of the Birmingham-based company that has developed a drug to fight the avian influenza (bird flu) will be the featured speaker at the Birmingham Venture Club luncheon on Thursday, March 16 at noon at The Harbert Center. Charles Bugg's company, BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc., was given the fast-track status by the Food and Drug Administration in December for Peramivir to treat influenza infections including life-threatening strains such as the H5N1 virus (avian influenza).

Bugg's appearance is timely with the World Health Organization announcing the recent detection of avian influenza in a domestic cat in Germany in late February. The virus has also been confirmed in poultry in Niger making it the second country in Africa to report the virus. Bugg is expected to discuss the status of the clinical trials and managing the fast-track process. BioCryst's stock has increased more than five-fold in the last few months, since receiving FDA clearance. BioCryst recently received an investment from one of Silicon Valley's best known venture capital firms, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers (KPCB).

Founded in 1986, BioCryst uses structure-based drug design, which incorporates multiple scientific disciplines including biology, crystallography, medicinal chemistry and computer modeling. The company's investment highlights include partnering opportunities that position the company for royalty revenues, "Orphan Drug" designation on lead products and financial stability with disciplined financial management.

Birmingham Venture Club Meeting

Thursday, March 16, 2006

11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.

The Harbert Center, Room B

2019 4th Avenue North

Birmingham, Ala. 35203

Contact Kellie Harper at (205) 241-8110 for registration information or visit www.birminghamventure.com to register.

The Birmingham Venture Club was founded in 1985 for the purpose of: 1) creating a network for the exchange of information between investors, entrepreneurs and professionals, 2) educating people about the purpose and benefits of venture capital and 3) stimulating investment capital for ventures that are developed in the Birmingham region. The Birmingham Venture Club is a program of the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce.

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