New public, private partnership could drive treatments for infectious diseases

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced plans this week to join Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in a partnership focused on the development of infectious disease treating products.

Specifically, it will be the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) involved in the public-private partnership, with an end goal of creating new therapeutics to treat influenza and other pathogens. This will mark the sixth partnership BARDA has entered into using its Other Transaction Authority, which grants them funds for technological innovation, as well as advanced research and development of medical products required for public health emergencies. They will invest $18.7 million into this effort.

“Influenza and other emerging infectious diseases present serious threats to our nation’s health security,” BARDA Director Rick Bright said. “This partnership will support much-needed treatment options for those who are severely ill with influenza and the rapid drug development that is critical to save lives when a new disease emerges.”

The partnership will utilize Regeneron’s existing monoclonal antibody discovery platform, which it has previously used to develop treatments for MERS and Ebola. The platform’s advantage is how it links discovery to clinical manufacturing, significantly cutting development time on products that may need to be distributed quickly in the midst of an emergency situation.

Initial focus will zero in on patients hospitalized with severe cases of the flu, with development seeking an antibody treatment for them. Under the terms of the partnership, the pair can also pursue development of products to treat infections from pathogens that may not have even yet emerged.