The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness & Response (ASPR) this week awarded $26,504,502.00 to NextBio, Incorporated, for advancement of a broad-spectrum antiviral therapeutic for treatment of Influenza A & B.
The major goal of the contract is to successfully complete a Phase 2B clinical trial which will advance candidate DAS181, an inhaled recombinant fusion protein, towards Federal Drug Administration NDA filing and approval.
DAS181 is a broad spectrum drug candidate for treatment and prevention of Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) caused by any strain of influenza and parainfluenza viruses. Unlike neuraminidase inhibitors, as well as vaccines which target the influenza virus, DAS181 works by inactivating the human receptors for these viruses. This mechanism of action makes DAS181 less likely to cause drug resistance compared with currently-available antiviral drugs.
The award is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) type Research and Development contract under the procedures of a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA). Further details are available under Solicitation Number: BAA-11-100-SOL-00021.
NextBio is headquartered in Santa Clara, CA.
