We may have chance on this Baby .
........................................
Company Tests Anthrax Antidote
Buyout rumors are all over the place and maybe because
recent developments reveal that a certain group of Harvard Grads took
over 5% of the company.
I wonder if it could be because of this...
Company tests anthrax antidote
Scientists believe they may have found a more effective way to
protect people from anthrax.
Avanir Pharmaceuticals (AVN) http://www.avanir.com "says it has
successfully developed a human antibody that neutralises the
potentially deadly toxin.
They hope the discovery will lead to a new vaccine and drugs to fight
anthrax.
It comes just days after scientists revealed they had cracked the
gene code for the strain of anthrax used in the letter attacks in the
US in late 2001 .
That discovery is expected to boost efforts to develop more effective
drugs to fight the toxin.
Drug treatment
A vaccine and drugs to treat anthrax already exist. However, the
vaccine must be administered through a series of injections over a
number of months before it becomes fully protective.
In the US and the UK, it has generally only been offered to those in
at risk groups such as military personnel.
The drugs are generally only effective if they are taken swiftly
after infection.
Scientists at Avanir Pharmaceuticals in San Diego believe their
antibody could overcome this problem.
Laboratory tests have shown that it neutralizes the bacterium and
stops it from infecting cells from where it causes most damage.
"The potency this antibody exhibits is extremely high," said one its
researchers Phillip Morrow.
He said the company is now planning to test the antibody on guinea
pigs. If these tests prove successful, they will then use the
antibody to develop drugs to fight anthrax.
"We are very encouraged by this data and plan to develop this
antibody for use as a prophylactic and therapeutic drug to prevent
and treat anthrax infections," Mr Morrow said.
Dr Gerald Yakatan, the company's chief executive, said: "Currently
there is a gap in treatment for individuals that could be or are
exposed to anthrax spores," he said.
"Because of the long immunisation timeframe of the vaccine currently
available, there are groups of individuals for whom vaccination is
not possible or effective and for whom alternative therapies need to
be developed.
"Our research is aimed at developing human antibodies that can
neutralise the anthrax toxin after exposure has occurred."
Many companies around the world are working on potential anthrax
antidotes.
Anthrax is considered to be the number one weapon of choice for
bioterrorists.
Recent studies have suggested that a kilogram of anthrax spores
dropped on a city of 10 million people would result in more than
100,000 deaths - even if every infected person was given antibiotics "
........................................
Company Tests Anthrax Antidote
Buyout rumors are all over the place and maybe because
recent developments reveal that a certain group of Harvard Grads took
over 5% of the company.
I wonder if it could be because of this...
Company tests anthrax antidote
Scientists believe they may have found a more effective way to
protect people from anthrax.
Avanir Pharmaceuticals (AVN) http://www.avanir.com "says it has
successfully developed a human antibody that neutralises the
potentially deadly toxin.
They hope the discovery will lead to a new vaccine and drugs to fight
anthrax.
It comes just days after scientists revealed they had cracked the
gene code for the strain of anthrax used in the letter attacks in the
US in late 2001 .
That discovery is expected to boost efforts to develop more effective
drugs to fight the toxin.
Drug treatment
A vaccine and drugs to treat anthrax already exist. However, the
vaccine must be administered through a series of injections over a
number of months before it becomes fully protective.
In the US and the UK, it has generally only been offered to those in
at risk groups such as military personnel.
The drugs are generally only effective if they are taken swiftly
after infection.
Scientists at Avanir Pharmaceuticals in San Diego believe their
antibody could overcome this problem.
Laboratory tests have shown that it neutralizes the bacterium and
stops it from infecting cells from where it causes most damage.
"The potency this antibody exhibits is extremely high," said one its
researchers Phillip Morrow.
He said the company is now planning to test the antibody on guinea
pigs. If these tests prove successful, they will then use the
antibody to develop drugs to fight anthrax.
"We are very encouraged by this data and plan to develop this
antibody for use as a prophylactic and therapeutic drug to prevent
and treat anthrax infections," Mr Morrow said.
Dr Gerald Yakatan, the company's chief executive, said: "Currently
there is a gap in treatment for individuals that could be or are
exposed to anthrax spores," he said.
"Because of the long immunisation timeframe of the vaccine currently
available, there are groups of individuals for whom vaccination is
not possible or effective and for whom alternative therapies need to
be developed.
"Our research is aimed at developing human antibodies that can
neutralise the anthrax toxin after exposure has occurred."
Many companies around the world are working on potential anthrax
antidotes.
Anthrax is considered to be the number one weapon of choice for
bioterrorists.
Recent studies have suggested that a kilogram of anthrax spores
dropped on a city of 10 million people would result in more than
100,000 deaths - even if every infected person was given antibiotics "
