The US Department of Health and Human Services’ Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) has awarded a grant worth up to $63 million to Emergent BioSolutions for development of a single-use stabilized isoamyl nitrite (SIAN) nasal spray for the treatment of acute cyanide poisoning.
The initial 17-month, $12.7 million agreement will cover formulation of intranasal SIAN. The grant, which can be extended up to 5 years, will cover development activities including submission of an IND application, clinical studies and CMC activities. Emergent will partner with Southwest Research Institute on the project.
BARDA Director Rick Bright said, “Cyanide is easily obtained, and exposure to high levels of the chemical can cause death within minutes. All currently approved cyanide antidotes are administered intravenously, which takes time, training, and medical resources. To save lives, first responders need a treatment they can administer easily within seconds in the field.”
Emergent BioSolutions Senior VP, Manufacturing Operations, Sean Kirk commented, “Emergent has a successful history of developing medical countermeasures that address the US government’s top priority public health threats. “We are committed to fulfilling BARDA’s requirements for an easily-administered treatment for acute cyanide poisoning, in collaboration with Southwest Research Institute. The development of the intranasal SIAN device will expand the company’s portfolio of novel devices to combat chemical threats. We are excited about the potential of this product candidate to meet the needs of both the government and commercial markets.”
Read the Emergent BioSolutions press release.
Read the BARDA press release.
