HHS' Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response has awarded about $12 million to Durham, N.C.-based BioCryst Pharmaceuticals for the continued development of BCX4430, a small molecule that prevents the Ebola virus from reproducing in the body.
The initial work will take place over the next 18 months with support from ASPR's Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, according to a news release.
In non-human primate studies, BCX4430 was effective against Ebola and Marburg viruses, indicating that it may be useful as a broad spectrum antiviral drug, according to the release.
Currently, BioCryst is conducting Phase 1 safety studies of BCX4430 for safety in healthy volunteers. If these studies show that the drug is safe, BCX4430 could become one of the possible treatments tested for efficacy in clinical studies.
"Developing drugs and vaccines to protect against Ebola has been a long-term goal of the U.S. government," BARDA Director Robin Robinson, PhD, said in a statement. "We are making progress quickly to develop product candidates for clinical evaluation and to make products available that protect against this virus."
The contract with BioCryst can be extended through August 2017 and up to a total of about $35 million. If the contract is extended, the company would conduct additional manufacturing work and other studies required to apply for U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval.
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