Government and Regulations

Novel Treatment for Ebola Virus

The technology used for discovery, development, and production of a new Ebola virus treatment is potentially well suited for generating therapeutic drugs during public health emergencies when turnaround time is critical, according to HHS.


 

A new treatment for the Ebola virus is being developed through an agreement between the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Related: Communication as a Weapon Against Ebola

The drug is made of monoclonal antibodies that bind to a key Ebola viral protein and neutralize the virus. The technologies Regeneron used allow for rapid discovery, development, and production of monoclonal antibodies, according to HHS, which makes the system “potentially well suited for generating therapeutic drugs during public health emergencies when turnaround time is critical,” according to HHS. The technology sped the discovery and development of this drug through the pipeline in just 9 months, compared with the normal development cycle of several years.

Related:No Man Is an Island in the Public Health Service

The ASPR’s Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority will provide up to $38 million over the next 2 years to support development and manufacturing of the experimental drug for use in studies.

Related: Acting Surgeon General Confident in the Battle Against Tobacco, Ebola, and Preventable Diseases

Recommended Reading

Patients Benefit From ICU Telemedicine
Federal Practitioner
Madhulika Agarwal on Telehealth at the VHA
Federal Practitioner
The Right Care at the Right Time and in the Right Place: The Role of Technology in the VHA
Federal Practitioner
Pharmacist Pain E-Consults That Result in a Therapy Change
Federal Practitioner
Development of a Virtual Pharmacy Resident Conference
Federal Practitioner
Telejustice: Reaching Incarcerated Veterans via Telehealth
Federal Practitioner
A Physical Therapist’s Role in Clinical Video Telehealth
Federal Practitioner
Evaluation of E-Consults in the VHA: Provider Perspectives
Federal Practitioner
HHS Hails Big Ideas
Federal Practitioner
Grants Awarded for Improving Health Information Sharing
Federal Practitioner

Related Articles