DHHS, Genentech target influenza, other health security threats

The U.S. Department of Human and Human Services (DHHS) has contracted with the company Genentech in managing and sharing the cost to develop a portfolio of medical treatments designed to counter the spread of influenza and other health security threats.

DHHS, operating through its Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), will focus on the development of a whole portfolio of medicines to meet both national health security requirements and fill commercial purposes. Its first priorities are first-in-class therapeutics for hospitalized flu patients and a treatment for lung injuries resulting from sulfur mustard gas.

“The United States faces a host of national health security threats requiring innovative solutions,” BARDA Director Rick Bright said. “Partnership agreements like this one allow flexibility to detect, prevent, or treat diverse illness and injury caused by these threats and at the same time decrease costs and maximize efficiency.”

In all, $43 million will be invested over the next five years into a study of an investigational oral medicine that is meant to treat patients rendered severely ill by seasonal or pandemic flu viruses. Additionally, $19 million will be invested over a period of 18 months to support development of alteplase (tPA) — better known under its brand name Activase — for treatment of injuries sustained from the inhalation of sulfur mustard gas. That medicine currently has applications for recovery from heart attacks, strokes, and pulmonary embolisms.

Both cases fill a gap, as neither health concern has FDA-approved therapeutics to treat them currently. BARDA will guide development by helping determine which medicines Genentech will develop and which have a place in the partnership’s portfolio, all while gaining access to the company’s collection of potential medical countermeasures.