Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Facebook Instagram Threads
    Global BiodefenseGlobal Biodefense
    Subscribe
    • Featured News
    • Funding
    • Directory
    • Jobs
    • Events
    Global BiodefenseGlobal Biodefense
    Contracts + Grants

    Achaogen Gets Federal Funding for Biowarfare Agent Therapeutic Development

    By Global Biodefense StaffOctober 9, 2017
    Health Security Notable Contracts
    Share
    Facebook LinkedIn Reddit Email

    The U.S. federal government is backing an antibiotic that not only holds potential as a treatment for infections from certain types of drug-resistant bacteria but also may be able to combat infections caused by bacteria used in biowarfare.

    Early testing suggests that Achaogen, Inc.’s C-scape could provide protection against the biowarfare agents Yersinia pestis, which causes plague, and Francisella tularensis, which causes tularemia. The contract will support the study of the drug’s potential as a treatment for exposure to these agents.

    The drug would be administered orally and is being developed as a two-component drug, combining an antibiotic (a beta-lactam) with a compound that inhibits certain enzymes, called Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamases, or ESBLs. That combination should allow the antibiotic to be effective against bacterial strains that otherwise would be resistant to the drug alone.

    “Combating antibiotic-resistant infections is fundamental to U.S. biodefense,” explained Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) Director Rick Bright, Ph.D. “The long hospitalizations that may be likely after a bioterrorism attack leave Americans open to secondary drug-resistant infections, which means to be prepared for bioterrorism, we need to have products available that treat antibiotic-resistant infections.”

    Under a 9-month, $12 million contract with Achaogen, Inc. of San Francisco, California, BARDA will support nonclinical studies, manufacturing, and preparatory activities for a Phase 3 clinical trial of C-scape to treat complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs).

    The contract can be extended for up to a total of three years and $18 million to support the Phase 3 trial, manufacturing, nonclinical studies, and the preparation of regulatory filings for U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval.

    Because bacteria that cause cUTIs are becoming resistant to other oral antibiotics, medical practitioners increasingly rely on antibiotics administered intravenously or those of last resort to treat patients with these infections. By developing alternative antibiotics, such as C-scape, doctors could rely less often on last-resort antibiotics, giving bacteria less opportunity to develop resistance to these drugs and prolonging the drugs’ effectiveness.

    Achaogen is also developing plazomicin for the treatment of serious bacterial infections due to MDR Enterobacteriaceae, including carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae. FDA has granted plazomicin Breakthrough Therapy designation for the treatment of bloodstream infections (BSI) caused by certain Enterobacteriaceae in patients who have limited or no alternative treatment options. Achaogen’s plazomicin program is funded in part with a contract from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority. Achaogen has other programs in early and late preclinical stages focused on other MDR gram-negative infections.

    Antimicrobials ASPR Awards BARDA Bioterrorism F. tularensis HHS Pandemic Y. pestis
    Share. Facebook LinkedIn Reddit Email
    Previous ArticleBiodefense Headlines – October 8, 2017
    Next Article FDA Approves Roche Zika Virus Test for Blood Donation Screening

    Related Stories

    First Light Diagnostics Receives FDA Clearance for Rapid Anthrax Test

    December 5, 2023

    ARPA-H Announces New Tiered Proposal Submission System to Reduce Applicant Barriers

    December 5, 2023

    Needle-Free Vaccine Patch Against Zika Virus

    December 2, 2023

    Ontario Supporting $165M Investment to Secure Critical PPE Supply

    December 2, 2023
    News Scan

    Biodefense Headlines – 30 November 2023

    News Scan November 30, 2023

    News highlights on health security threats and countermeasures curated by Global Biodefense This week’s selections include the largest ever outbreak of mpox in the DRC; launch of National Wastewater Surveillance Program dashboard; low uptake of COVID-19 boosters and flu vaccines;…

    Upcoming Events

    Dec 5
    10:45 am - 3:00 pm EST

    Meeting the Moment: Biodefense Policy, Procurement, and Public Health

    Dec 6
    Virtual Event Virtual Event
    6:00 am - 7:00 am EST

    AMR One Health Priority Research Agenda: Transmission

    Mar 12
    Virtual Event Hybrid Event
    March 12, 2024 - March 17, 2024

    2024 Fungal Genetics Conference

    Mar 21
    March 21, 2024 - March 23, 2024

    ASPPH 2024 Annual Meeting

    View Calendar

    Subscribe to Global Biodefense

    Get the latest news on pathogens and preparedness

    News on pathogens and preparedness for public health emergencies

    © 2023 Stemar Media Group LLC
    • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy
    • Subscribe

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.