The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted orphan drug designation to Advanced Life Sciences’ Restanza, a novel antibiotic that could provide a major defence against lethal pathogens such as anthrax and the plague.
Restanza (cethromycin) is a novel once-daily oral antibiotic for the prophylactic treatment of plague and tularaemia, both of which are classified as Category A Bioterrorism Agents by the US Centres for Disease Control.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Advanced Life Sciences is currently conducting studies of Restanza as a bioterror countermeasure agent under a contract with the US Department of Defense.
The company has also reported that the drug has demonstrated significant success in preventing anthrax infection and symptoms post-exposure.
The company is conducting animal studies on plague and tularaemia under the FDA’s ‘Animal Rule’.
If these studies continue to confirm the usefulness of Restanza as a potent medical biodefence, Advanced Life Sciences will meet with the FDA early in 2010 to finalise a biodefence regulatory plan and to seek marketing approval.
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Thank you!
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form
By GlobalDataAdvanced Life Sciences chairman and chief executive officer Michael T Flavin said that Restanza could be a major breakthrough in biodefence preparedness against lethal pathogens.
“Pathogens such as anthrax, plague and tularemia represent extreme public health threats of potentially epidemic proportion as they are highly infectious and fatal diseases, particularly if aerosolised,” Flavin said.
“Restanza is a major advance, given its novel mechanism of action, demonstrated broad spectrum of activity against multiple bioterror agents and favorable safety profile.”
The FDA’s Orphan Drug Act is intended to assist and encourage companies to develop safe and effective therapies for the treatment of rare diseases and disorders.
