Anthrax is an acute infectious disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Anthrax most commonly occurs in wild and domestic lower vertebrates (cattle, sheep, goats, camels, antelopes, and other herbivores), but it can also occur in humans when they are exposed to infected animals or tissue from infected animals.
Anthrax is most common in agricultural regions where it occurs in animals. These include South and Central America, Southern and Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. When anthrax affects humans, it is usually due to an occupational exposure to infected animals or their products. Workers who are exposed to dead animals and animal products from other countries where anthrax is more common may become infected with B. anthracis (industrial anthrax). Anthrax outbreaks occur in the United States on an annual basis in livestock and wild game animals such as deer.
Anthrax infection can occur in three forms: cutaneous (skin), inhalation, and gastrointestinal. B. anthracis spores can live in the soil for many years, and humans can become infected with anthrax by handling products from infected animals or by inhaling anthrax spores from contaminated animal products. Anthrax can also be spread by eating undercooked meat from infected animals. It is rare to find infected animals in the United States.
PharmAthene, Inc., a biodefense company developing medical countermeasures against biological and chemical threats, announced today that new data from the Company's Valortim® anthrax anti-toxin program were presented at the 8th Annual ASM Biodefense and Emerging Diseases Research Meeting, held in Baltimore, Maryland, February 21-24, 2010.
PharmAthene, Inc. a biodefense company specializing in the development and commercialization of medical countermeasures against chemical and biological threats, announced today that the Department of Health and Human Services, through the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority has modified its existing research and development contract with PharmAthene providing for up to a total of $78.4 million in additional funding, provided that certain milestones are achieved and that all contract options and extensions are exercised by the government, to support the continued advanced development of SparVax™, a second generation recombinant protective antigen (rPA) anthrax vaccine targeted for future procurement in the U.S. Strategic National Stockpile.
Aradigm Corporation today announced that it dosed the first patient in the U.S. as part of its ORBIT-1 (Once-daily Respiratory Bronchiectasis Inhalation Treatment) trial, an international, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2b study designed to evaluate the Company's inhaled liposomal ciprofloxacin (ARD-3100) in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (BE) under a U.S. IND. This orphan disease indication is a chronic, severe respiratory disease and there are currently no approved treatments for this disease in the U.S.
Thank you, Tom. I also want to thank NACCHO for hosting this important conference and for inviting me to speak here today. Public health is a top priority for this administration. So is strengthening our partnerships across government. So I’m glad I could come talk with you about how we can work together to keep Americans healthy and safe.
In a national poll aimed at helping with planning efforts for a public health response to a possible bioterrorism attack, researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) have found that, in response to a fictional scenario describing a significant anthrax attack in their city or town, most Americans (89%) will likely follow public health recommendations to obtain prophylactic antibiotics.
AVANIR Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued the Company a new patent for its lead drug candidate Zenvia™ (dextromethorphan/quinidine), extending the period of patent protection in the United States into late 2025. U.S. patent number 7,659,282 titled "Pharmaceutical Compositions Comprising Dextromethorphan and Quinidine for the Treatment of Neurological Disorders" was issued on February 9, 2010. The new patent will provide AVANIR with patent protection for low-dose quinidine formulations of Zenvia used to treat pseudobulbar affect (PBA).
Medizone International, Inc. announced today that every full scale test run completed thus far in its hospital room mock up facility has resulted in the total elimination of all bacteria present in the room.
Aradigm Corporation announced today that it received the $4 million milestone payment from Zogenix, Inc. (“Zogenix”) based upon the first commercial sale in the U.S. of SUMAVEL* DosePro* (sumatriptan injection) needle-free delivery system. The Company will receive quarterly royalty payments on all SUMAVEL DosePro sales. In 2006, the Company sold all assets related to the Intraject* needle-free injector technology (now rebranded as DosePro) to Zogenix in exchange for milestone and royalty payments.
Soligenix, Inc., a late-stage biotechnology company, announced today the publication of an article in the February 2010 edition of Vaccine, which describes preclinical formulations of RiVax™, its ricin toxin vaccine, with heightened stability. The article was authored by the Company's collaborators at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas (UT Southwestern) where the vaccine originated. RiVax™ is currently being evaluated in Phase 1 human safety and immunogenicity trials, as well as non-human primate trials for efficacy.
Response Biomedical Corporation announced that the Company has signed a second partner, Guangzhou Wondfo Biotech Co., Ltd. (Wondfo) in China to sell the Company’s diagnostic products, expanding its strategic presence in this important global market.
The Department of Homeland Security's research arm, the Science & Technology Directorate (DHS S&T), invites you to the fourth annual DHS University Network Summit sponsored by S&T's Office of University Programs, March 10-12 at the Renaissance Hotel, 999 Ninth Street NW, Washington, D.C. Registration is free but space is limited. (http://www.orau.gov/dhssummit)
Universal Detection Technology (www.udetection.com), a developer of early-warning monitoring technologies to protect people from bioterrorism and other infectious health threats and provider of counter-terrorism consulting and training services, responded today to a bipartisan congressional committee’s scathing report card failing the U.S. Government for adequately preparing the country for the threat of a bioterrorism attack.
NewsRx, a 25-year-old publisher and international news organization headquartered in Atlanta, has published a new encyclopedia on vaccines -- Encyclopedia of Vaccines, 2009: An encyK Resource for Parents, Patients & Professionals.
A University of Central Florida biomedical researcher has developed what promises to be the first low-cost dual vaccine against malaria and cholera.
Human Genome Sciences, Inc. today will announce its priority goals for 2010 and report on the Company’s increasing momentum toward commercialization of late-stage products for systemic lupus and chronic hepatitis C in a presentation by H. Thomas Watkins, President and Chief Executive Officer, to financial analysts and investors at the 28th Annual JPMorgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco.
Response Biomedical Corporation announced today that the Company has received a Notice of Allowance from the European Patent Office for the patent entitled “Sensitive Immunochromatographic Assay”, referred to as the “Fong Patent”.
PharmAthene, Inc. a biodefense company specializing in the development and commercialization of medical countermeasures against chemical and biological threats, today commented on a Special Notice published by the US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) on December 29, 2009.
Medizone International, Inc. announces that its third round of testing and data logging for the enhanced AsepticSure(TM) technology is now complete.
Elusys Therapeutics, Inc. (Elusys), a privately-held biopharmaceutical company, announced today that it has signed a contract potentially totaling up to $143 million to complete the final development, commercial manufacturing and licensure of Anthim, the company's late stage anthrax therapeutic.
Soligenix, Inc., formerly known as DOR BioPharma, Inc., a late-stage biotechnology company, announced today the publication of an article in the January 2010 edition of Infection and Immunity, detailing the characteristics of several immunodominant regions of ricin A chain, the antigenic component of RiVax((TM)). RiVax((TM)) is Soligenix's vaccine to protect against exposure to ricin toxin and is currently being evaluated in Phase 1 human safety and immunogenicity trials, as well as nonhuman primate trials for efficacy.
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