AVP-21D9 is a human monoclonal antibody product candidate that is being developed as an intravenous treatment for patients with symptoms of anthrax disease following exposure to Bacillus anthracis.
In non-clinical studies, this candidate demonstrated an ability to protect animals challenged with a lethal dose of inhaled anthrax spores. AVP-21D9 is being developed with funding support from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health, including a grant to establish a cGMP manufacturing process and to test efficacy in additional inhalation studies.
Fuad El-Hibri, chairman and CEO of Emergent BioSolutions, said: “The acquisition of Avanir’s monoclonal anthrax antibodies rounds out our anthrax countermeasure program nicely. This transaction reflects our ongoing commitment to develop a full portfolio of countermeasures to strengthen our country’s preparedness in the event of future anthrax attacks.”