Media Coverage Firm to tap into new biodefense agency
Under new legislation, small companies can develop, test drugs
Jane Larson
The Arizona Republic
Jan. 9, 2007 12:00 AM
SCOTTSDALE - ImmuneRegen Biosciences Inc. plans to take advantage of a new federal agency created to help small companies finance the development of biodefense products.
President Bush last month signed legislation to establish the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The new agency, known as BARDA, would oversee the development of products to fight bioterrorism and infectious diseases.
The bill also authorized $1 billion in spending on biodefense over the next three years. The funding would add to the $5.6 billion authorized in 2004 for Project BioShield, the administration's effort to create a national stockpile of products to fight anthrax and other bioterrorist devices.
ImmuneRegen Chief Executive Officer Michael Wilhelm and the biotech industry lobbied extensively for BARDA.
The Scottsdale company expects to submit its drug compound to BARDA and seek funding to develop it for a range of applications. ImmuneRegen would position the compound as a "universal protectant" against radiation, anthrax and influenza, Wilhelm said.
Supporters say the new agency and Project BioShield contract reforms will help small companies avoid a financial "valley of death."
"We spend all of our money developing countermeasure drugs so the government can stockpile them," Wilhelm said. "Why isn't the government supporting the development of these drugs more rapidly and more effectively?"
The bill also reforms how the government contracts with small companies for early-stage products. Critics of Project BioShield say little has been accomplished because the government does not pay for the products until they are delivered.
The new bill would allow the government to pay companies as they meet deadlines.
Besides acting as bio-defense companies' contact with government, BARDA would also be responsible for seeking out promising companies and evaluating their data, Wilhelm said.
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