FDA Approves First Anthrax Antitoxin
Anthrax antitoxin is the first monoclonal antibody approved under FDA's Animal Efficacy Rule, and the first product from BARDA's Project Bioshield to receive FDA approval.
On Dec. 14, 2012, FDA approved raxibacumab injection to treat inhalational anthrax, a form of the infectious disease caused by breathing in the spores of the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Raxibacumab is also approved to prevent inhalational anthrax when alternative therapies are not available or not appropriate. Raxibacumab is a monoclonal antibody that neutralizes toxins produced by B. anthracis.
Raxibacumab was developed by Human Genome Sciences (HGS) in conjunction with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR), US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). HGS was acquired by GlaxoSmithKline in July 2012, making raxibacumab part of GSK’s portfolio.
Raxibacumab is the first monoclonal antibody approved under FDA’s Animal Efficacy Rule, which allows efficacy findings from adequate and well-controlled animal studies to support FDA approval when it is not feasible or ethical to conduct trials in humans. In this case, because inhalational anthrax is a rare and lethal disease, it is not possible to conduct adequate efficacy trials in humans.
In addition, the drug is the first to be developed under Project Bioshield to receive FDA approval, according to a press release from HHS. The Project Bioshield Act was signed in 2004 and provides funding to support and expedite the development and procurement of medical countermeasures against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats. According to GSK’s press release, the US Government is currently the sole recipient of raxibacumab supplies.
The Solution Lies with SOLBIOTE™: Achieving Sustainability, a Growing Focus in Biopharma
October 28th 2024The nexus between biopharmaceuticals and sustainability is seemingly far apart, however, it is increasingly recognized as an inevitable challenge. It is encouraged to take a sustainable approach to reducing the environmental impact of the production and supply of medicines while improving people's health; delivering the well-being of people and the planet. Yosuke Shimojo (Technical Value Support Section Manager, Nagase Viita) will unveil how SOLBIOTE™, a portfolio of injectable-grade saccharide excipients, would be a key for the biopharmaceutical development and achieving sustainability for a better future of the industry.
