Cellerant Therapeutics Inc., a biotechnology company developing novel hematopoietic stem cell-based cellular and antibody therapies for blood disorders and cancer, announced today that it has signed a contract valued at up to $153 million over five years with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response of the Department of Health and Human Services, to develop CLT-008, a cellular therapy for the treatment of Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS).
“We believe Cellerant is at the forefront of the development of a solution for ARS and we share BARDA's commitment to developing CLT-008 as an effective countermeasure to support our biodefense interests.”
Under terms of this cost plus fixed fee development contract, Cellerant will receive up to $63.3 million in the two-year base period of performance and up to an additional $89.9 million in three option years, if exercised by BARDA, for a total contract value of $153.2 million. This award covers substantial costs associated with developing CLT-008 for ARS.
This contract is awarded by BARDA for advanced product development and will support Cellerant's CLT-008 clinical and commercial strategy, including scaling up manufacturing, expanded human safety trials and pivotal, non-clinical effectiveness studies in animals, through licensure. If licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the federal government could buy CLT-008 for the Strategic National Stockpile under Project Bioshield. Project Bioshield is designed to accelerate the research, development, purchase and availability of effective medical countermeasures for the Strategic National Stockpile.
"We are delighted to have been awarded this new contract from BARDA," said Ram Mandalam, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Cellerant Therapeutics. "We believe Cellerant is at the forefront of the development of a solution for ARS and we share BARDA's commitment to developing CLT-008 as an effective countermeasure to support our biodefense interests."