PanThera Biopharma Awarded $1.6M Department of Defense Contract to Continue
Efforts Toward a Botulism Therapeutic
HONOLULU--(Business Wire)--
PanThera Biopharma announced today the award of a $1.6 M contract from the
Department of Defense to advance the company`s research activities towards
development of a small molecule antidote to treat botulism, which is a worldwide
threat as the US fights the War on Terrorism. The one-year, $1.6M contract with
the U.S. Army`s Telemedicine & Advanced Technology Research Center will enable
PanThera to refine its proprietary drug discovery platform and accelerate the
process for selecting preclinical drug candidates. Medical countermeasures
against botulism are biodefense priorities for protecting both military and
civilian populations against bioterrorism. PanThera`s small molecule antitoxins
are designed to provide the improved manufacturability and stability needed to
serve as a practical solution for acquisition into strategic stockpiles. Current
biological products based on antibodies are available in limited supply, require
cold storage and are very expensive. PanThera`s objective is to create a medical
solution that is affordable, easy to use and store for stockpile for today`s
warfighters and citizens.
"Protecting our nation from terrorist attacks is of utmost importance to me.
This endeavor, developed and perfected in Hawaii, will be part of a layered
approach to prepare our nation for combating biological warfare," stated U.S.
Senator Daniel K. Inouye. "We can never be idle when it comes to investing in
advanced research that will save lives and deter terrorism."
"This contract award positions PanThera to continue its cutting-edge research
toward development of lead compounds that show promise of becoming viable drug
candidates for the Military and Strategic National Stockpile," said Will
Alameida, President and CEO of PanThera. "Our objective is to develop drugs that
do not require refrigeration and can be administered safely and rapidly if
needed to protect our nation and our allies."
Alameida said PanThera is targeting Military acquisition programs and the
BioShield Program`s Strategic National Stockpile for its therapeutic. The $5.6
billion BioShield Program, enacted in July 2004, was designed to speed the
development of drugs and vaccines to counter the effects of biological,
chemical, nuclear, and radiological agents.
According to the National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases, botulism
is a serious paralytic illness caused by neurotoxins produced by several
Clostridiumbotulinum bacterial strains. Exposure to botulinum toxins can lead to
death due to respiratory failure unless ventilation is assisted mechanically;
therefore, rapid diagnosis and access to intensive medical care and antitoxin
are vitally important.
Botulinum toxin is classified as a CDC Category A bioterrorism agent, and
several countries and terrorist organizations are known to have developed
botulinum weapons. Botulinum toxin could be used to poison foodstuffs or
released as an aerosolized weapon.
The contract extends work initiated under an earlier DoD contract and continued
with follow on support provided by the NIH SBIR program and private investment
from PanThera`s parent company, Science & Technology International, Inc.
About PanThera Biopharma
PanThera Biopharma (PanThera), was established in 2006 as a subsidiary of
Science & Technology International, Inc. (STI), with a mission focused on
addressing the urgent need for new drugs to combat emerging infectious diseases
and to defend against potential bioterrorism agents. PanThera, a leader in the
biodefense market, is developing orally available drugs for Anthrax, Botulinum,
Dengue fever, as well as a continuing pipeline of therapeutic drugs for other
infectious diseases and pandemic threats. STI is a premiere Life Sciences
Accelerator with strategic interests in medical diagnostic imaging and
biotechnology.
PanThera Biopharma
Mr. Will Alameida, President/CEO, 808-540-4778
Fax: 808-540-4850
will@sti-hawaii.com or walameida@pantherabio.com
Copyright Business Wire 2009
