Tamiflu the influenza drug that is thought to be the most effective drug to beat bird flu is notoriously complicated to make and that is partly why Roche its manufacturer has fallen so far behind with production requirements. The main problem is the collection of its key ingredient called shikimic acid which is found in China in the star anise fruit which is increasingly in short supply due to the suddenly increased demand for Tamiflu.

Until recently shikimic acid was thought to be most abundant in the star anise fruit but now it appears that the simple sweetgum tree found all over the world may have a good supply of the Tamiflu essential ingredient in the green fruit that it produces. In fact the shikimic acid is found in the seeds of the fruit on the sweetgum tree in workable and useable amounts which could herald a change in the way that the anti viral flu drug Tamiflu is made and produced worldwide.

The actual compound that is a key ingredient in Tamiflu is called oseltamivir. Tamiflu is not only used to treat bird flu but all types of flu and the oseltamivir could become the best defence aginst a worldwide bird flu pandemic if a flu vaccine is not developed in time. This is the reason for the huge demand for Tamiflu and the reason why the manufacturers Roche have been unable to meet it.

Tamiflu functions by stopping the replication of flu viruses and so acts as a defence from the symptoms of bird flu which has been shown to be fatal in about 50% of cases. Governments and individuals are trying to get their hands on all available stocks of the Tamiflu drug. At present the virus is very difficult for humans to catch, however experts say that these sort of viruses can mutate fast and that within a few months it could change into a type that is easily transferable from person to person.

So the sweetgum tree is now the most sought after tree in pharmaceutical circles as it may be a life saver for millions who dont have their dose of Tamiflu yet due to shortages. The sweetgum tree unlike the star anise tree is found in the USA and in most of the world. The shikimic acid in the sweetgum tree is present in nearly all parts of the tree but is mostly found in the fruit seeds which are found in the mature tree.

Scientist are discussing ways to gain the maximum amount of shikimic acid from each tree so that the Tamiflu production can be optimised for the benefit of all concerned.