Venatorx Pharmaceuticals announced the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), awarded the company a contract to support the development of cefepime-taniborbactam for the treatment of melioidosis. The contract also includes options to procure cefepime-taniborbactam for national preparedness efforts.
The contract with BARDA leverages the 2004 Project BioShield Act, which enabled the acceleration of the research, development, purchase, and availability of effective medical products against chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear agents.
“We thank BARDA, ASPR, and HHS for their dedication to scientific innovation and commitment to this private-public partnership. The contract supports Venatorx’s mission to address the devasting impact on patient lives from the growing multidrug-resistant bacterial infections in the U.S.,” said Christopher J. Burns, Ph.D., President and CEO of Venatorx. “Venatorx and cefepime-taniborbactam can play an important role in helping to enhance the biodefense preparedness of our country, save lives and protect Americans. We are confident that cefepime-taniborbactam is extremely well-positioned to help address potential public health emergencies as increasing antibiotic multi-drug resistant infections continue to represent a global threat.”
Terms of the Award
This project has been funded in whole or in part with Federal funds from the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, under contract number 75A50122C00080. Under the terms of the agreement, Venatorx may receive up to $318M in development funding and potential product procurement. BARDA will initially award approximately $72M for the development of cefepime-taniborbactam, including completion of a clinical study in HABP/VABP, CMC development, post-marketing commitments, nonclinical studies, and submission of a pre-EUA package to FDA for melioidosis. Based on milestone achievements, Venatorx may receive additional funding of up to approximately $67M for further development of cefepime-taniborbactam, including a melioidosis clinical study, and up to $179M for product procurement.
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