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Orphan drug designation entitles ViroPharma to seven years of market exclusivity in the United States upon FDA approval of maribavir, provided that the company continues to meet certain conditions established by the FDA.

Belonging to a new class of drugs called benzimidazole ribosides, maribavir is a potent, selective, orally bioavailable antiviral drug with a unique mechanism of action against cytomegalovirus (CMV).

CMV is a member of the herpes virus group (includes the viruses that cause chicken pox, mononucleosis, herpes labialis (cold sores), and herpes genitalis (genital herpes)) and also has the ability to remain dormant in the body for long periods of time.

Find more details from the press release.