UNC Hospitals is participating in a trial study for a new flu treatment drug.

The drug, called Peramavir, is related to Tamiflu and Relenza which are currently the only two flu treatment medications on the market.

Peramavir, however, is available in IV form and could be used to treat severe cases of seasonal and H1N1 flu. The medication has been delieverd to UNCH and doctors will begin enrolling patients in the next week.

"If they should develop influenza and they develop severe disease that lands them in the hospital, that's where this medication may have a role to play," said Dr. Christopher Hurt, infectious disease doctor at UNCH.

The trial study at UNCH will test the drug in addition current therapies a patient is taking. Those results will be compared to the outcomes of those who took a sugar pill.

Hurt said they expect to have enough patients to enroll in the trial in the next few months. If the trial is successful, the company that makes Peramavir could petition the FDA to approve the drug.