Antibodies developed under the contract will protect US citizens against the harmful effects of botulinum neurotoxins used in bioterrorism.
This award follows a $15 million contract with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), announced by Xoma in March 2005, to initiate the program.
Under the new three-year contract, Xoma will create and produce an innovative injectable product comprised of three anti-type A-botulinum neurotoxin monoclonal antibodies to support entry into phase I safety human clinical trials.
In parallel with the completion of the first contract, which is scheduled for October 2006, Xoma is charged with production of larger amounts of the three antibodies and the development of an appropriate formulation for human administration of the three antibodies in a single injection. This project will be 100% funded with federal funds from NIAID.
“We are pleased to receive a second, follow-on contract from NIAID to further the development of this important biodefense product,” said John Castello, chairman of the board, president, and CEO of Xoma. “This contract with NIAID also supports our company’s strategy of leveraging our existing assets to generate revenues and build our financial strength.”