PharmAthene, Nanotherapeutics, U.S. Department of Defense deal
PharmAthene partnered with Nanotherapeutics to advance undisclosed biodefense products from both companies' portfolios. The partners said PharmAthene's pipeline of products to prevent and treat emerging infectious diseases and biodefense threats fits well with Nanotherapeutics' manufacturing and development capabilities and within the objectives of the U.S. Department of Defense's Advance Development and Manufacturing program. PharmAthene said any product from each company's portfolio can be added under the non-exclusive agreement. The partners declined to disclose financial terms, but said the deal does not involve a "substantial funding commitment" by either party.
The first product selected under the deal is PharmAthene's second-generation rBChE bioscavenger. The product is a recombinant form of a human butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) in preclinical testing to prevent and treat chemical nerve agent poisoning by organophosphorous compounds, including nerve gases and pesticides. The product is being developed under FDA's Animal Rule, which allows marketing approval to be granted based on efficacy in relevant animal models and an acceptable safety risk profile in humans. ...