Siga Ready For Next Phase, New Cash With Smallpox Drug Approval

Siga is entitled to a $41m “hold back” payment under its contract with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority and potentially a $50m payment related to the US FDA's extended shelf-life determination for stockpiled Tpoxx; company also picks up first priority review voucher awarded for a medical countermeasure, which it likely will monetize.

Variola virus, a virus from Orthopoxviridae family that causes smallpox, highly contagious disease eradicated by vaccination, 3D illustration
Tpoxx becomes the first drug approved to treat smallpox, which is caused by the variola virus.

With the US FDA approval of the smallpox drug Tpoxx (tecovirimat) now behind it, Siga Technologies Inc. is looking forward to an influx of as much as $91m, plus the proceeds from a priority review voucher sale, to help expand the drug’s indications and add new pipeline assets consistent with the company’s health security focus.

The FDA approved tecovirimat, an oral inhibitor of the orthopoxvirus VP37 envelope wrapping protein, on July 13 for the treatment of human

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on Scrip for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required

More from New Products

In Brief: US FDA Delay Sends Biohaven Shares Down

 

The US regulator’s decision has taken Biohaven and investors by surprise, with the reason for a ‘major amendment’ status not clear.

Strong Showing For Bayer’s Pharma Business In Uncertain Times

 
• By 

As CEO Anderson backs high prices for innovative drugs in Europe

Biopharma Deals ROI Has Fallen And Market Instability Could Make It Worse

 

Rising biotech valuations mean return on investment on some deals is non-existent for big pharma, though certain strategies will improve chances of success, a new analysis has found.

Pipeline Watch: Six Approvals And Thirteen Phase III Readouts

Pipeline Watch is a weekly snapshot of selected late-stage clinical trial events and approvals announced by pharmaceutical and biotech companies at medical and industry conferences, in financial and company presentations, and in company releases and statements.

More from Scrip

UK-India FTA Could Offer ‘Significant Benefits’ For Generics, Biosimilars

 
• By 

A free trade agreement between the UK and India could offer “significant benefits for the generic and biosimilar sectors,” Medicines UK believes. The off-patent industry association has also suggested further avenues for collaboration between the two governments.

Will Other Major MASH Deals Follow GSK/Boston Pharma?

 
• By 

GSK’s $1.2bn payout for Boston Pharma’s efimosfermin is the first billion-dollar-plus MASH deal in nearly nine years, but several other advanced MASH programs could be positioned for takeout.

Merck’s Welireg Adrenal Tumor Rollout Targets Specialized Centers

 

The drugmaker won US FDA approval for the HIF-2α inhibitor in pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma, a rare cancer of the adrenal glands, in adolescents and adults.