Data Published In The New England Journal Of Medicine Support Use Of Raxibacumab (ABthrax(TM)) For The Treatment Of Inhalation Anthrax

Main Category: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Also Included In: Bio-terrorism / Terrorism;  Clinical Trials / Drug Trials
Article Date: 10 Jul 2009 - 2:00 PDT

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Human Genome Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: HGSI) announced publication by The New England Journal of Medicine of the results of two pivotal animal efficacy studies, which showed the life-saving potential of the Company's human monoclonal antibody drug raxibacumab (ABthrax(TM)), as well as the results of human safety studies, which supported the use of raxibacumab in the event of life-threatening inhalation anthrax disease.

"The results published showed that a single dose of raxibacumab was highly effective as a treatment for inhalation anthrax in both rabbits and monkeys," said Sally D. Bolmer, Ph.D., R.A.C, lead author and Senior Vice President, Development and Regulatory Affairs, HGS. "Raxibacumab acted quickly to provide a significant survival benefit to animals showing clinical signs of disease caused by exposure to a dose of aerosolized anthrax spores that was approximately 200 times the median lethal dose. We also note that the safety profile shown in healthy human volunteers provides support for use of raxibacumab in the clinical setting of immediately life-threatening inhalation anthrax disease."

Raxibacumab represents a new way to address the anthrax threat. While antibiotics can kill the anthrax bacteria, they are not effective against the deadly toxins that the bacteria produce. Raxibacumab targets anthrax toxins after they are released by the bacteria into the blood and tissues. In an inhalation anthrax attack, people may not know they are infected with anthrax until the toxins already are circulating in their blood, and it may be too late for antibiotics alone to be effective.

"We are very proud that the importance of these data and the rigor and high quality of our scientists' work have led to publication in The New England Journal of Medicine," said David C. Stump, M.D., Executive Vice President, Research and Development, HGS. "Based on these results, we believe raxibacumab has the potential to be a significant step forward in the treatment of inhalation anthrax."

About the Raxibacumab Contract with the U.S. Government

Raxibacumab is being developed under a contract entered into in 2006 with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In April 2009, HGS fulfilled its commitment to deliver the first 20,000 doses of raxibacumab to the Strategic National Stockpile for emergency use in the treatment of inhalation anthrax. The purchase was made under the Project BioShield Act of 2004, which is designed to accelerate the development, purchase and availability of medical countermeasures. In May 2009, HGS submitted a Biologics License Application (BLA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for raxibacumab for the treatment of inhalation anthrax. The BLA was also filed under the BARDA contract, and HGS will receive $10 million from the U.S. Government upon FDA licensure of raxibacumab.

About Anthrax

Anthrax infection is caused by a spore-forming bacterium, Bacillus anthracis, which multiplies in the body and produces lethal toxins. Most anthrax fatalities are caused by the irreversible effects of the anthrax toxins. Research has shown that the bacteria produce protective antigen, the key facilitator in the progression of anthrax infection at the cellular level. After protective antigen and the anthrax toxins are produced by the bacteria, protective antigen binds to the anthrax toxin receptor on cell surfaces and forms a protein-receptor complex that makes it possible for the anthrax toxins to enter the cells. Raxibacumab blocks the binding of protective antigen to cell surfaces and prevents the anthrax toxins from entering and killing the cells.

About Human Genome Sciences

The mission of HGS is to apply great science and great medicine to bring innovative drugs to patients with unmet medical needs. The HGS clinical development pipeline includes novel drugs to treat hepatitis C, lupus, inhalation anthrax and cancer.

The Company's primary focus is rapid progress toward the commercialization of its two lead drugs, Albuferon(R) (albinterferon alfa-2b) for hepatitis C and BENLYSTA(TM) (belimumab, formerly LymphoStat-B(R)) for lupus. Albuferon has now completed Phase 3 development, and the filing of global marketing applications is expected in fall 2009. Two Phase 3 trials of BENLYSTA are ongoing, with results expected in July and November 2009.

In April 2009, HGS completed delivery of 20,000 doses of raxibacumab (ABthrax(TM)) to the U.S. Strategic National Stockpile for use in an emergency for the treatment of inhalation anthrax. The Company also has several drugs in earlier stages of clinical development for the treatment of cancer, led by the TRAIL receptor antibody HGS-ETR1 and a small-molecule antagonist of IAP (inhibitor of apoptosis) proteins. In addition, HGS has substantial financial rights to certain products in the GSK clinical pipeline including darapladib, currently in Phase 3 development as a potential treatment for coronary heart disease, and Syncria(R) (albiglutide), currently in Phase 3 development as a potential treatment for type 2 diabetes.

Source: Human Genome Sciences, Inc