Smallpox Therapeutic
Bioterrorism has been labeled a "Clear and Present Danger" by the U.S. government. The U.S. government has identified smallpox as one of the six biological agents that poses the highest priority threat. Presently, there is no effective treatment for smallpox. Smallpox is transmitted by the variola virus through contact and fluids, and the most common form of smallpox is termed Variola major, which ranges in severity from a severe-rash to a hemorrhagic state. The latter is usually completely fatal.
BioFactura is collaborating with the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) to develop and commercialize a Smallpox Biodefense Therapeutic. The therapeutic has been shown to neutralize virus in the laboratory, and animal studies are currently under way. The therapeutic is designed to have a number of distinct advantages over competing developments, including the capability to treat post-exposure active infection, high specificity that reduces adverse side effects, and activity against resistant or engineered strains. BioFactura estimates this critical countermeasure may be acquired for military and civilian stocks by as early as 2012.