Viratek’s Bid for Ribavirin Sales Is Shelved

Viratek announced Friday it has temporarily withdrawn its application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to sell its antiviral drug ribavirin to people who test positive for the AIDS virus but don’t yet have any symptoms of the disease.

The Costa Mesa-based pharmaceutical company said it acted because it and the FDA needed more time to review additional information from ongoing studies.

FDA spokesman Brad Stone said the company withdrew its application because it hopes to better its chances of gaining approval with more evidence.

“We plan to resubmit the application shortly,” said Jack Sholl, a Viratek spokesman. He declined further comment.

The company’s stock--which had dropped 50 cents Thursday to $8.50--recovered Friday and closed at $9.

ICN Pharmaceuticals--the parent corporation of Viratek--has touted ribavirin for years as a cure for a number of maladies but its only approved use in the United States is as an aerosol treatment for infants with severe lower respiratory infections.