The anthrax immune globulin (AIG) is to be made available for treating or preventing inhalational anthrax. The value of the deal, which comes as a modification to the Project BioShield contract, is approximately $143 million and comes as a result of successful preliminary efficacy testing done earlier under the contract, which was originally signed in September 2005.
Cangene has already delivered a small number of doses under this contract into the US strategic national stockpile. Additional deliveries will commence in the later part of 2007 and be completed by the end of 2009. Cangene will receive payments following the delivery of these additional doses.
The contract also requires that Cangene apply for and receive authorization for marketing from the FDA.
“This is the second significant development in our biodefence development program in just two months; this segment of our business is really gaining momentum,” said Dr John Langstaff, Cangene’s president and CEO. “Antibody-based products provide an alternative approach to the more traditional antibiotic treatments for anthrax and we are pleased to provide another key product for the biodefence effort.”