Osiris Wins Contract to Develop Radiation Exposure Treatment
A government contract was completed by Osiris Therapeutics, Incorporated for $4.2 million. Osiris received the contract to complete the development of their treatment for people exposed to radiation. News of the contract was published by the Imaging Economics Advisor.
The contract is from the U.S. Department of Defense, which is fronting Osiris with money to continue development of Prochymal. Prochymal is a therapy that utilizes stem cells to repair injuries to the gastrointestinal system secondary to radiation exposure.
Prochymal is created with stem cells from adult bone marrow. The therapy is being developed by Osiris in cooperation with Genzyme Corporation. The therapy is delivered to patients intravenously. Testing is also underway to use the therapy for patients with Type I diabetes and Crohn’s disease.
An additional payment from the Department of Defense, in the amount of $20.5 million, may be received to complete Prochymal development and registration with the FDA.
Additional funds would be paid once the treatment receives the approval of the FDA. The government will be eligible to purchase up to 20,000 doses of Prochymal therapy in 5,000 dose increments. Each dose will cost $10,000.
Use of the treatment for radiation exposure is in the final stages of testing in animals. Final efficacy studies are being completed with animals models. No tests to evaluate treatment efficacy in a randomized trial are planned, as exposing patients to radiation is unethical.
January 16, 2008 Related topics: Radiation Oncology, New Technology & Innovation, Contract Awards, Renal & Urology, Gastroenterology