Biodefense Targets

Given current national concerns over bioterrorism, especially following the anthrax attacks of late 2001, the U.S. government has dramatically increased the amount of funding allotted for biodefense. As part of that initiative, the government approved a $5.6 billion "BioShield" bill in 2004 that called for stockpiling vaccines and other products over the next 10 years.

To that end, we are currently working on four multi-year programs covering early product development for biodefense vaccines for the Marburg virus, viral encephalitis, botulinum toxins and smallpox. Funding for these programs comes from a variety of sources and exceeds $31 million.