By Alabama Public Radio
Birmingham, AL – The Food and Drug Administration has granted Birmingham-based BioCryst Pharmaceuticals fast-track designation for one of its flu treatments. It's an injection that may help fight avian influenza. The company reports the F-D-A said the drug meets the criterion of treating a serious life-threatening condition. The news sent BioCryst stock upward. It rose three dollars-54 cents in Tuesday afternoon trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market. That's a 19 percent boost to around 22 dollars-80 cents a share.