BARDA Extends Chimerix Smallpox Contract; Adds $13m
This article was originally published in Scrip
The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) has extended Chimerix contract to develop its oral antiviral brincidofovir as a medical countermeasure to treat smallpox for an additional 15 months, adding $13m more in funding.
The company's shares, however, failed to gain on the news – with the stock losing 4.2%, before closing at $51.14, down $1.08, or about 2%.
Chimerix received an initial award from BARDA in February 2011 to support the early research and development of brincidofovir in animal models of smallpox.
Then last September, the company picked up an additional $17m to support Phase III trials.
Chimerix also is developing brincidofovir as a treatment to prevent cytomegalovirus in hematopoietic cell transplant recipients and also for adenovirus infection.
Last year, the company had pursued brincidofovir as a treatment for Ebola, but abandoned that program this past February.