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Media
Source:
Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer |
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| About the Technology: |
 Anthrax is considered the No. 1 biological weapon threat. It can be transmitted through inhaling the spores, a cut in the skin, or eating contaminated food.
Inhaled anthrax is by far the most hostile form, with 90% or greater of these cases resulting in death. In 2001, five Americans died from anthrax inhaled from contaminated mail.
Anthrax infection can be cured with antibiotics, but in cases of the inhaled form, by the time symptoms appear it is often too late to treat the patient.
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| Applications: |
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Military and Commercial Significance: |
Invented by Army scientists working at the U.S. Army Medical Research
Institute of Infectious Diseases, the new vaccine is designed to be purer and more effective.
The old vaccine must be given in six doses, and some soldiers have complained of side effects. Currently, ciprofloxacin is the only antibiotic approved by the FDA to treat anthrax exposure.
Obtaining an alternative to this would provide the Department of Defense with additional options in obtaining force protection against this serious warfare threat.
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California biotechnology company VaxGen, Inc. has executed an exclusive patent license agreement for government and commercial sales. Under Project Bioshield, the government awarded $877 million to VaxGen, which will supply 75 million doses of vaccine meant to protect 25 million civilians within three years. |
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| Industry Contact: |
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Government Contact: |
VaxGen Inc.
1000 Marina Boulevard, Suite 200
Brisbane, CA 94005
Telephone: (650) 624-2345
Country: USA
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Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases
, Fort Detrick
Frederick, MD 21702-5011
Telephone: 301-619-7527
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