Twinstrand Therapeutics Inc. Announces Awards CDN$2.2M Research Contract by U.S. Dept of Defense for Development of a Medical Countermeasure to Ricin
September 12, 2006
BURNABY, BC, Canada, September 12, 2006 - Twinstrand Therapeutics announced today that it has been awarded a contract for research and development of a human polyclonal antibody (antidote) to ricin poisoning. The two-year $2.2 M CDN ($1.9 M USD) contract was granted, in a competitive process, by the United States Defense Threat Reduction Agency Joint Science and Technology Office for Chemical and Biological Defense.
Dr. Thor Borgford, Twinstrand President & CEO, commented “This award is an important recognition of Twinstrand’s growing clinical and drug development capabilities. Importantly, we expect the program will lead the company to a significant product opportunity. It is worth noting further that Twinstrand is able to leverage pre-existing therapeutic assets in the development of the countermeasure that make the program an ideal complement to our oncology drug platform.”
Ricin is a highly toxic protein derived from the widely-available castor bean plant. The toxin has a known history as a bioterror agent and presents an ongoing threat to military personnel, civilian populations and first responders. There is currently no antidote or approved vaccine to ricin poisoning. Twinstrand intends to file two Investigational New Drug (IND) applications for the ricin countermeasure program in Q1 2007 and Q3 2008.
About Twinstrand - Twinstrand Therapeutics is a clinical-stage drug discovery and development company currently financed by venture capital. TST10088, the company’s lead drug, targeting ovarian and lung cancers, is now in a Phase I clinical trial. In addition to cancer, Twinstrand’s product platform has broad potential in the treatment of diseases including, but not limited to: hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, as well as fungal and parasitic infections.
For further information visit our website at www.twinstrand.com or contact Evelyn Lomba at evelyn.lomba@twinstrand.com or at 604.415.7180.
