Sequella receives ARRA funds to manufacture SQ109 for treating tuberculosis

Sequella, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on commercializing novel antibiotics to treat life-threatening infectious diseases, today announced that it received a $694,000 grant supplement as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. The ARRA funds, issued through the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institute of Health (NIH), will assist Sequella to complete the manufacture of its lead drug candidate, SQ109, and provide drug supplies to continue NIH grant-funded research on SQ109 mechanism of action.

SQ109 is a new small molecule drug that is currently under US IND for the treatment of tuberculosis and is completing its Phase I safety studies in humans. Single, oral doses of 5 to 300 mg SQ109 were safe and well-tolerated in normal, healthy adults in a phase 1A study. In collaboration with NIAID, the Phase 1B clinical study to evaluate safety and pharmacokinetics of SQ109 administered daily for 2 weeks began in May 2009.

"We are pleased to receive these ARRA funds," said Dr. Carol Nacy, CEO of Sequella. "The ARRA funds will contribute to SQ109 manufacture by subcontractors in four different states impacted by the current economic downturn. We are extremely appreciative of continued support from the NIH and of the Federal Government for providing ARRA funding opportunities."

This supplemental ARRA funding will be used to complete process development and finalize manufacture of SQ109 active pharmaceutical ingredient.