Cangene to Contribute Antibotulism Drug to National Stockpile

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS, Washington, DC, www.hhs.gov) awardedbiotech company Cangene (Winnipeg, MB, Canada, www.cangene.com) a$362-million Project Bioshield supply contract for 200,000 doses ofbotulinum toxin immune globulin (heptavalent botulism antitoxin). Theantibotulism drug will be available to treat patients in the event ofan outbreak.

Cangene expects to produce and deliver the usable product to the USStrategic National Stockpile in mid- to late-2007, at which time thecompany will receive payment for its efforts. Under the terms of thecontract, the company must apply for and receive US Food and DrugAdministration approval for the use of this product. Cangene said itplans to apply for accelerated approval and fast-track review.

John Langstaff, Cangene's president and CEO, stated in an officialpress release, "We are very pleased that HHS has chosen to continuefunding for Cangene to develop this important biodefence product . ..Cangene has been working hard to develop a product that can help buildan effective defence against this toxin and we look forward tocontinuing to work with HHS on this effort."