Date: September 28, 2011
Company: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences of Little Rock, Ark.
Contract amount: $4.5 million over two years
About this contract: UAMS will evaluate a drug, SOM230, developed by and provided under an agreement with Novartis. Novartis developed SOM230, or pasireotide, to treat a hormone disorder known as Cushing’s disease. Preliminary data suggest that the drug also may be useful in treating radiation injuries to the gastrointestinal system. Under the new contract, investigators at UAMS will generate data Novartis needs to submit a new drug application for possible Food and Drug Administration approval to use SOM230 to treat gastrointestinal injuries from radiation exposure. SOM230 appears to protect the intestine by reducing secretions from the pancreas that cross the damaged intestinal wall and exacerbate inflammation in the intestines.
Additional information: BARDA is seeking additional proposals for products that potentially could treat or prevent illness and injury from acute radiation syndrome, as well as improved diagnostic tools to measure the radiation dose a person has absorbed after a nuclear denotation or radiation accident. Proposals are accepted through the Broad Agency Announcement BARDA-CBRN-BAA-11-100-SOL-00009 at www.fbo.gov.
Press Release: BARDA funds development of five drugs to protect against radiation
Procurement Announcement: Contract Awarded under BAA-BARDA-09-34
