BARDA purchases Paratek’s NUZYRA to treat anthrax infections

Looking to address a medical need and reduce development and preparedness costs for taxpayers, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) has purchased and begun accepting the Paratek Pharmaceuticals antibiotic NUZYRA for use on anthrax infections.

The contract could reach a total of $285 million distributed over a decade, all going toward the late-stage development of the drug and obtaining appropriate regulatory approvals.

NUZYRA, or omadacycline, was originally approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2018 for use as a broad-spectrum, once-a-day oral and intravenous treatment for community-acquired pneumonia caused by bacteria. In theory, it’s effective against drug-resistant strains as well. For BARDA, the drug’s new acquisition and use is the first to use funds from Project BioShield to expand the use of an existing antibiotic to treat such things as post-exposure prophylaxis after anthrax exposure and lung infections caused by inhaling anthrax spores.

As a result of the contract, Paratek will also gain post-marketing support for the drug’s use on bacterial pneumonia. As a result of the agreement, the federal government can officially acquire NUZYRA.