A new deal with Amgen USA Inc., under the authority provided by the Project BioShield Act, saw the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) purchase a $290 million supply of the drug Nplate this week, for use during radiological and nuclear emergencies.
Nplate is a treatment for blood cell injuries, specifically those that stem from acute radiation syndrome (ARS), more commonly known as radiation sickness. High doses of penetrating radiation can impair blood clotting, which in turn can make even smaller wounds life-threatening, and harm internal organs in seconds.
Usable on both adult and pediatric patients, Nplate stimulates platelet production in the body to reduce radiation-induced bleeding.
By using Project Bioshield Act authorization and funding, BARDA is able to tap funds to replace federal supply dosages nearing expiration, while getting those older supplies back out for rapid use in the commercial market. In this case, Amgen will, in addition to producing the new supply, maintain the government’s supply in a vendor-managed inventory.
BARDA is part of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness & Response (ASPR), the organization that leads the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in enhancing public health security.