A new FDA-approved flu treatment is coming after nearly 20 years

(Fox News) - The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved the first and only single-dose oral treatment in nearly 20 years to combat the flu.

The drug called Xofluza, which is manufactured by Genentech, a unit of Roche--that already produces Tamiflu--announced the FDA approval covers the treatment of acute, uncomplicated influenza, or flu, in people 12 years of age and older.

Genetech dubbed the approval as the first novel "proposed mechanism of action" to treat the flu in two decades. Sandra Horning, M.D., chief medical officer and head of Global Product Development for Genentech says the treatment works by significantly reducing the duration of flu symptoms within the 48 hours.

The announcement comes after last year's devastating flu season, that left more than 80,000 dead and more than 900,000 hospitalized, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It also cost U.S. corporations an estimated $10 billion, as reported by FOX Business.

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