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BCRX (16.01) having a tough day...

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Dow Jones)--Biocryst Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s (BCRX) fourth-quarter losses widened, as a result of higher research and development costs.

In a press release Wednesday, the biopharmaceutical concern said losses grew to $7.16 million, or 27 cents a share, from $5.29 million, or 24 cents a share, a year earlier.

Total expenses rose to $7.51 million from $5.6 million, as research and development costs increased 28.5% to $6.04 million.

Revenue declined to $21,000 from $178,000 because Biocryst completed work related to a National Institutes of Health grant for a hepatitis C program.

Additionally, Biocryst expects Roche Holding AG (RHHBY) to start Phase II trials of BCX-4208 as a psoriasis treatment during 2006. Roche licensed the compound from Biocryst in November. BCX-4208 is a treatment candidate against chronic conditions including autoimmune diseases and transplant rejection.

Company Web site: http://www.biocryst.com