How to resolve AdBlock issue? Ebola Therapy mAb114 Receives $14 million in Funding
It was annonuced on September 24th that the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) intends to provide $14 millio, as well as expertise support for the advanced development of an investigational Ebola treatment being pursued by Ridgeback Biotherapeutics of Miami.
mAb114 is a monoclonal antibody that works by binding to virus proteins, reducing thier ability to infect human cells. The therapy has already received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the FDA, and Ridgeback Biotheraputics intends to apply for licensure also.
The antibody was initially isolated and developed by scientists from the Vaccine Research Center at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in collaboration with the Institut National de Recherche Biomedicale, the Institute for Research in Biomedicine, and the U.S. Army Research Institute of Infectious Diseases.
“Effective Ebola therapeutics are essential in saving lives not only in the current outbreak in the DRC but also in future outbreaks anywhere in the world and to discourage any potential use of this virus in bioterrorism,” BARDA Director Rick Bright said. “Combating this horrific disease requires every tool we can provide to healthcare providers and patients.”
mAb114 is currently being used in the DRC to help combat the ongoing Ebola outbreak, under a clinical trial known as PALM. NIAID and the National Biomedical Research Institute are co-sponsoring that trial.