Research by the company Gilead has been dedicated to the discovery and development of potent and selective medications for the treatment of life-threatening infectious diseases. Their scientists address important issues related to anti-infective therapies. They target treatments that selectively treat the disease while leaving healthy tissue unharmed. The company was formed with the ideal to create innovative therapeutics with enhanced delivery modes, favourable resistance profiles, with fewer side effects and stronger efficacy.

Tamiflu® is a neuraminidase inhibitor which has been designed for the treatment and prevention of all common strains of influenza; both types A and B. Gilead discovered Tamiflu and it is marketed by F. Hoffmann-La Roche, their chosen worldwide development and marketing partner. Tamiflu was the first and only approved neuraminidase inhibitor available in both pill and liquid suspension form. Being the most publicized of neuraminidase inhibitors on the market today Tamiflu has been touted as a way to possibly combat a Bird Flu outbreak. Many governments are stockpiling the drug for use in the event of a future outbreak.

The Tamiflu medication is designed to prevent all common strains of the influenza virus from replicating; this replication process is what contributes to the worsening of symptoms in a person infected with the influenza virus. Influenza spreads by reproducing the virus in a persons system and Tamiflu helps stop the replication process.

The neuraminidase inhibitors, according to Gilead, are designed to inhibit, or "plug" the active site of an enzyme, called neuraminidase. Neuraminidase can be found protruding from the surface of the two main types of influenza virus, type A and type B. This enables newly formed viral particles to travel from one cell to another in the body, but by inactivating neuraminidase, the viral replication is stopped, and the influenza virus is stopped in its tracks.

Great advances have been made in molecular and cellular biology and this has allowed researchers to understand viral replication better than ever before.

Because scientist now understand better the profiles of the antiviral drugs they develop, used both alone and in combination with other antiviral drugs, this provides physicians with insight into which therapeutics or combinations will produce the best results and optimal benefits.

Miniscule spherical structures, known as liposomes are just 1/1000th the width of a single human hair, and are comprised of phospholipids, the basic components of human cell walls. Biopharmaceutical advancements today make it possible to encapsulate therapeutic compounds within liposomes giving enhanced drug delivery.

Drugs such as Tamiflu are being developed all over the world to combat viral infections that once could not be treated but with the advancements seen, it is now possible. With the increasing threat of the expected bird flu pandemic it is more important than ever to ensure that these successes are continued.