AIBioTech(R) Receives Subcontract Award From DynPort Vaccine Company LLC, for Continued Development and FDA Approval of a Nerve Agent Prophylactic


RICHMOND, Va., May 23, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AIBioTech is pleased to announce receipt of a firm fixed price subcontract from DynPort Vaccine Company LLC (DVC), a CSC company, valued at nearly $3 million for laboratory studies to support development of a biologic intended for use prior to an exposure to nerve agents. DVC issued this subcontract under its prime contract number W911QY-13-C-0056 with the U.S. Department of Defense.

This medical countermeasure (MCM) is intended to decrease incapacitation and death associated with nerve agent poisoning by binding and inactivating the nerve agent in the circulatory system before it can reach the nervous system. The program is intended to deliver a new capability to help soldiers in combat remain functional following nerve agent exposure and continue performing their mission.

The U.S. Army has been evaluating a naturally occurring enzyme in humans called butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) for its potential use as a chemical agent MCM. Under its previous subcontract to DVC, AIBioTech implemented and then validated a laboratory assay which measures the activity of BuChE and then used the assay to assess the enzyme levels in Phase I human clinical trial samples. The new contract builds on the initial body of work and includes development of new laboratory assays, new validation studies, qualification of the BuChE source materials, and assay of human clinical trial samples.

"We are very excited to participate in this program of national import and significance," said AIBioTech President and Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Robert B. Harris. "AIBioTech and DVC have a long collaborative history, and we are very pleased to re-invigorate this partnership." Added Harris, "The broad scientific expertise at AIBioTech allows DVC to centralize these necessary laboratory support activities under one roof with confidence that the work will be done in a timely and cost conscious manner."

Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Defense, Department of the Army, Chemical Biological Medical Systems Joint Project Management Office (CBMS JPMO), Medical Identification and Treatment Systems Joint Product Management Office (MITS JPMO).

About AIBioTech®

AIBioTech is a comprehensive contract research organization which provides integrated research and development services and clinical testing to physicians and life science investigators in biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, academic institutions, and in several different government agencies. Its services are offered individually or can be integrated to support product development from discovery to market with full regulatory support. Learn more about AIBioTech at www.aibiotech.com.



            

Contact Data