Contract Awarded for Bioterror Antibiotic

The U.S. Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) awarded a contract to Achaogen Inc. of San Francisco, California to develop an antibiotic against two types of bioterrorism as well as common infections that are becoming resistant to antibiotics. The contract pays Achaogen $27 million in the first two years, but can be extended annually for up to three years for a total of $64 million.

Achaogen’s antibiotic, ACHN-490 — now in clinical trials —  would be a broad-spectrum antibiotic to treat plague and tularemia infections, both of which are possible bioterrorism agents. The antibiotic could also treat many infections that are becoming resistant to antibiotics, including pneumonia from prolonged use of a ventilator and urinary tract infections from using a catheter for an extended period of time.

Also under the contract, the company will conduct studies to test if the new antibiotic is safe for children, the elderly, and other special populations.

The contract uses the federal government’s new approach to producing medical countermeasures needed for a health emergency. An August 19 report examining the system to produce medical countermeasures, recommended developing drugs that can be used for bioterrorism as well as common illnesses, and to develop more countermeasures that are safe for children, the elderly, and other vulnerable populations.

Related: HHS Review Highlights Role of Business in Medical Countermeasures

Photo: U.S. Army/Flickr

Title fixed: 31 August 2010