Human Genome Sciences awarded US government contract

Under the first phase of the contract, Human Genome Sciences will receive $1.8 million to supply ten grams of ABthrax to the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for comparative in vitro and in vivo testing.

Under the second phase of the contract, the US government has the option to place an order within one year for up to 100,000 doses of ABthrax for the strategic national stockpile, for use in the treatment of anthrax disease. The HHS comparative testing results, along with Human Genome Sciences’ own preclinical and clinical study results, will form the basis of the US Government’s decision process for exercising its option for additional product for the stockpile.

Genome Sciences will provide support necessary to aid HHS in conducting its independent testing.

“We are pleased that the US Government has chosen to award this contract to Human Genome Sciences. We are ready to supply the initial quantity of material. We are hopeful that the Government can quickly complete the testing phase, so that we can supply ABthrax to the national stockpile for use in the event of a bioterrorist attack,” said Dr James Davis Executive vice president and general counsel of Human Genome Sciences.