Cidara Therapeutics, Inc announced it has received up to $339 million from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) to fund work on CD388, a non-vaccine preventive for both pandemic and seasonal flu.
"A long-acting, universal influenza preventative that confers broad protection against all strains of influenza across all populations is critical for pandemic preparedness, especially for the millions of Americans who are immune-compromised, have comorbidities that can lead to severe complications from influenza infection, or the elderly who have diminished response to vaccines," said Jeffrey Stein, PhD, Cidara president and CEO, in a press release. "We welcome BARDA's partnership that will enable us to accelerate domestic supply options for CD388 production."
CD388 is an investigational drug-Fc conjugate (DFC). DFCs are not vaccines or monoclonal antibodies. Instead, the drugs are low-molecular-weight biologics designed to function as long-acting small molecule inhibitors. CD388 is being developed to offer season-long protection against multiple flu strains via a single subcutaneous or intramuscular administration.
Basic Glitch - 2mon
This press release is from early October, but I missed it until now. Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), is part of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Trump's department of Health and Human Services (HHS) alarmed millions of Americans on February 26, announcing it was considering pulling funding granted to Moderna to develop an H5N1 avian flu mRNA vaccine based on the flu strains currently circulating in cows and birds.
The funding was granted under the Biden administration in January, and would allow Moderna to expand clinical data supporting the use of mRNA vaccines, against other pathogen strains with pandemic potential.
I've suspected for a long time that the Trump administration's true intention behind cancelling this contract, as well as their attacks on publicly funded GOF research by the NIH was actually driven by a desire to privatize vaccine research for profit.
I also wrote in March that I believed the administration would be pursuing a universal mRNA flu vaccine, but it looks like I was only half right. They do appear to be working towards a universal preventative, but it looks like it won't be mRNA based. >CD388 is an investigational drug-Fc conjugate (DFC).
As it races to create a vaccine for the novel corona virus, the Trump administration this month announced that one of its largest pandemic-related contracts would go to a little-known Gaithersburg biodefense company named Emergent BioSolutions. “Emergent’s manufacturing capabilities will pave the way,” Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said in a statement.
The $628 million deal to help manufacture an eventual vaccine cemented Emergent’s status as the highest-paid and most important contractor to the HHS office responsible for preparing for public health threats and maintaining the government’s stockpile of emergency medical supplies.
The Gaithersburg-based company pressed for the national stockpile and its $700 million budget to be moved under the control of Robert Kadlec, Trump’s assistant HHS secretary for preparedness and response, or ASPR. The transfer took effect in 2018. Under Trump, before the pandemic, ASPR paid Emergent more than $894 million, more than double what it paid any other contractor. During that time, the company received more than 1 in every 6 dollars spent by ASPR, according to a review of contracting records.
Since I was assuming the administration would focus on universal mRNA vaccines, I wasn't quite sure how Syngene fit into the bigger picture. Pretty sure I get it now.
AcidiclyBasicGlitch in publichealth
Cidara announces funding for non-vaccine flu preventive, CD388
https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/influenza-general/cidara-announces-funding-non-vaccine-flu-preventive-cd388This press release is from early October, but I missed it until now. Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), is part of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Back in March, I wrote a long blog post about the Trump administration's attack on the NIH and the backlash against GOF research.
I've suspected for a long time that the Trump administration's true intention behind cancelling this contract, as well as their attacks on publicly funded GOF research by the NIH was actually driven by a desire to privatize vaccine research for profit.
I also wrote in March that I believed the administration would be pursuing a universal mRNA flu vaccine, but it looks like I was only half right. They do appear to be working towards a universal preventative, but it looks like it won't be mRNA based. >CD388 is an investigational drug-Fc conjugate (DFC).
Profiting from vaccine privatization and manufacturing, also seemed to be part of the Trump administration's original plan for the COVID vaccine. June 2020: How Emergent BioSolutions became the US go-to biodefense contractor
However, due to production issues and a bit of a scandal that was mostly swept under the rug, the contract was eventually cancelled. U.S. Government Cancels Contract with Embattled Emergent BioSolutions
Clyburn and Maloney Release Initial Findings from Investigation into Emergent BioSolutions
Emergent Hid Evidence of Covid Vaccine Problems at Plant, Report Says
Emergent's facility was eventually shut down, and at the time I wrote my blog post (March), it was sold to Syngene International. Indian contractor Syngene throws down $37M for Emergent's Baltimore biologics plant
Coincidentally, this past week, Syngene confirmed they expanded their biologics facility to include new antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) bioconjugation capabilities.
Since I was assuming the administration would focus on universal mRNA vaccines, I wasn't quite sure how Syngene fit into the bigger picture. Pretty sure I get it now.