Chimerix, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services infectious news

Chimerix said HHS’s Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) extended its contract for the development of brincidofovir ( CMX001) as a medical countermeasure against smallpox. The contract extension will provide an additional $13 million in funding over 15 months. Chimerix is developing brincidofovir under FDA’s Animal Efficacy Rule, which allows marketing approval to be granted based on efficacy in relevant animal models and an acceptable safety risk profile in humans. In 2011, BARDA awarded Chimerix a contract worth up to $81.1 million over five years for the compound. Through June 30, Chimerix has received $40.6 million under the contract (see BioCentury, Feb. 21, 2011 & Oct. 6, 2014). ...