May 1, 2009 (Vol. 29, No. 9)

Carol Potera

Company Stays Solely Focused on Developing Bioterrorism Countermeasure Products

The threat of bioterrorism will likely always loom over us. Bolstering the nation’s biodefense arsenal provides a new arena and opportunities for biotech companies. PharmAthene was among the first companies to enter the biodefense field in 2001. Its mission all along has been the development and commercialization of medical countermeasures for biodefense.

The company’s first product was an antidote for symptomatic anthrax infections developed by scientists at Harvard University. Development of the therapy, however, was terminated when it caused anaphylactic reactions in early clinical trials. Today, the company’s portfolio contains five biodefense products, including three antianthrax agents. The company has received funding commitments for up to $554 million from the U.S. government so far, and by the end of this year the company expects to have been awarded $1 billion. 

“This new arena is a cross between biotechnology and traditional defense contracting,” comments Eric Richman, svp, business development. The biodefense marketplace differs in some key respects from the commercial marketplace. For instance, a commercial company may have tried to solve the allergic side reactions associated with the first anthrax antidote. “But in biodefense, you look for products that are easy to use and administer to a large number of people under less than perfect circumstances,” explains David Wright, president and CEO. Additionally, biodefense products often do not require extensive safety data for approval by the FDA.

Moreover, biodefense companies can tap into alternative sources of funding. Project BioShield, signed into law in 2004, authorizes $5.6 billion in secure funding over 10 years for the advanced development and purchase of biodefense medical countermeasures.

In addition, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Agency appropriates development funds for promising biomedical countermeasures. Not only does the government pay biodefense companies to develop and advance drugs and products, but the government also buys them for the Strategic National Stockpile. “The government is our main customer,” says Richman. 


Protexia, a recombinant form of human butyrylcholinesterase produced in the milk of transgenic goats, is being developed by PharmAthene as a pre- and post-exposure therapy for victims of a chemical nerve agent attack.

Pipeline

The company’s name represents its goal to protect the nation’s citizens and troops from chemical and biological warfare, just as the goddess Athena was believed to protect ancient soldiers marching into battle. PharmAthene’s pipeline reflects this mission.

In 2001, anthrax spores sent through the mail infected 11 victims, and five of them died, even after aggressive antibiotic therapy. This bioterrorism incident underscored the need for improved vaccines and antitoxins to protect the nation.

PharmAthene’s SparVax™ is a second-generation recombinant vaccine that will require just three doses given a few weeks apart, says Richman. Completed Phase I and II trials involving about 770 people have shown that SparVax is well tolerated and induces an immune response in humans, he adds. SparVax also protects rabbits and monkeys against a lethal aerosol dose of anthrax spores.

“SparVax is intended as a vaccine to protect people before exposure to anthrax or as a treatment combined with antibiotics after exposure,” notes Wright. He predicts that SparVax will begin to reach government stockpiles within the next several years.

PharmAthene is also working on a third-generation recombinant protective antigen anthrax vaccine. Although the third-generation vaccine will be as effective as SparVax, it will achieve immunity with fewer injections, and it will remain stable for three years at room temperature. This will allow the anthrax vaccine to be stored, transported, and used without the need for refrigeration.

Another anthrax-based product is Valortim®, a fully human monoclonal antibody antitoxin designed to protect cells from damage by anthrax toxins. In preclinical studies, Valortim both protects against infection, and when given some time after anthrax exposure, it induces recovery and survival in animals exposed to 100 times the lethal dose of inhalation anthrax spores, explains Wright. “Valortim will be administered to people with a severe anthrax infection, which occurs as the lethal toxin rapidly multiplies in the body,” he adds. The FDA has granted Valortim Fast Track and Orphan Drug status.

Protexia® is a recombinant version of human butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) found naturally in minute quantities in blood. BChE acts as a natural bioscavenger to absorb and degrade organophosphate poisons that cause neurological damage. Protexia is being developed as a pre- and post-exposure therapy for military or civilian victims of nerve gas attack such as sarin, soman, or tabun. Phase I studies of Protexia should conclude later this year. The next phase will be taking Protexia through the FDA approval process.

RypVax™, a recombinant plague vaccine, contains two antigens to protect against bubonic plague and inhalation plague. The vaccine is intended for soldiers before deployment. Three Phase I trials show that RypVax is safe and well tolerated, and the vaccine fully protects animals in preclinical studies against a lethal aerosol challenge.

Ideal Partner

PharmAthene’s business plan is to in-license or acquire promising biodefense candidates that have a strong likelihood of procurement by the government. Many biotechnology companies are working on potential biodefense technologies, but the specific nature of government contracting makes it difficult for them to advance them. According to Wright, “we have the infrastructure to manage government contracts and develop products for the government under their rules.” 

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