Elusys Therapeutics, Inc. announced Wednesday that it delivered the first doses of its treatment for inhalational anthrax, ANTHIM (obiltoxaximab) Injection, to the U.S. Strategic National Stockpile (SNS).
The company is providing the treatment to the SNS, the U.S. government’s store of critical medical supplies for public health emergency preparedness, as part of a $44.9 million procurement contract. The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (HHS ASPR), issued the contract in 2015.
“Elusys is proud of our long-standing relationship with the U.S. Government over the past 15 years. Our first delivery of ANTHIM to the SNS marks a major commercial milestone for Elusys and it is a significant achievement for the U.S. Government,” Elizabeth Posillico, president and CEO of Elusys, said. “ANTHIM can now be provided by CDC to treat U.S. citizens, first responders, and military personnel in an anthrax emergency.”
Elusys is continuing to produce material to complete the 2015 procurement order. The company is also developing an alternate dosage form for the treatment using the lyophilization (freeze drying) commercial process, which is expected to extend the product’s shelf life by several years and improve its tolerance to extreme temperatures.