Siga Technologies (NSDQ:SIGA) said today that it signed a multi-year contract with the Biomedical Advanced Research & Development Authority to provide oral and intravenous versions of Siga’s Tpoxx smallpox treatment to the Strategic National Stockpile.
The contract, which is valued at up to $629 million, also includes funding for advanced development of the the drug’s IV formulation and post-marketing activities for Tpoxx’s oral formulation.
According to the contract, Siga and BARDA will work to maintain a stockpile of 1.7 million courses of the antiviral treatment at the Strategic National Stockpile.
The FDA approved Siga’s oral formulation of tecovirimat in July as a treatment for smallpox in the case of a potential outbreak.
The drug is designed to mitigate the impact of a bioterrorism attack involving smallpox, according to the New York-based company. Siga also reported this year that the FDA granted its request for a priority review voucher, giving the company the option for accelerated FDA review of a future product.
“This contract builds on the strong foundation of the Siga and BARDA partnership and we look forward to working closely with BARDA to ensure the current U.S. stockpile is adequately maintained,” CEO Phil Gomez said in prepared remarks. “The contract provides excellent value to the U.S. government for the mitigation of the risks of a smallpox outbreak, outlines a roadmap for sustaining the current stockpile, and adds the IV formulation of Tpoxx as an available alternative treatment option.”
