Human Genome starts shipping new anthrax drug
WASHINGTON, Feb 2 (Reuters) - Human Genome Sciences Inc. (HGSI.O) said on Monday it was beginning delivery of 20,000 doses of ABthrax, which fights anthrax infection, to the U.S. government.
It is the first sale for the biotechnology company, which has struggled to get a product onto the market.
The drug takes a new approach to fighting bacterial infection by targeting the toxin made by the anthrax bacillus instead of the microbe itself.
ABthrax, known generically as raxibacumab, is a human monoclonal antibody -- a lab-engineered immune system protein. This one is designed to attack and neutralize the toxic compound that makes anthrax so deadly.
The U.S. government contracted with the Maryland-based biotech firm to make the drug in case of a biological attack under Project BioShield, the company said.
Anthrax is a fairly common bacteria and usually causes an easily treated skin lesion. But if inhaled, it can take hold quickly and by the time a person starts showing symptoms, it is usually too late for successful treatment with antibiotics.
This is because the bacteria pump out toxins that are not affected by antibiotics and that persist after the bacteria are dead.
There is an anthrax vaccine but it must be given before exposure.
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