Crucell wins NIH contract to develop influenza monoclonal antibodies
Dutch biopharma company Crucell has received a National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/National Institutes of Health (NIH) contract to advance the development of monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of seasonal and pandemic influenza. The contract provides funding of up to US$40.7m (Euro 29m), with additional options that take the potential total to US$69m (€49m).
Dutch biopharma company Crucell has received a National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/National Institutes of Health (NIH) contract to advance the development of monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of seasonal and pandemic influenza. The contract provides funding of up to US$40.7m (Euro 29m), with additional options that take the potential total to US$69m (€49m).
"With the world now at pandemic alert level six, and recent reports of A/H1N1 oseltamivir resistance occurring, the timing of this contract is extremely important," said Dr Jaap Goudsmit, chief scientific officer of Crucell. "It will allow Crucell and its partners to pursue a new approach for the treatment of the disease caused by both seasonal and pandemic influenza strains."
Crucell has developed a set of human monoclonal antibodies that protect against seasonal and pandemic influenza viruses. These are active against the seasonal H1N1 viruses, which show widespread resistance to oseltamivir (Tamiflu), the current first-line therapeutic. They are also active against the pandemic H1N1 and H5N1 viruses, which are still circulating in Asia.
The NIH award confirms the validity of Crucell's antibody approach, spearheaded by the rabies monoclonal programme.
Crucell will be the primary contractor with additional services supplied by Quintiles Guys Drug Research Unit and RetroScreen, both located in London, UK, as well as Viroclinics and the Central Veterinary Institute in the Netherlands.