SIGA Technologies (SIGA) just announced that its ST-246 smallpox drug candidate showed “100% protection against death” in preclinical testing on monkeys showing signs of monkey-pox infection. The study was conducted at the U.S. Army Medical Institute of Infectious Diseases.

This is a very significant milestone for SIGA Technologies -- one that could potentially hold global implications and save millions of lives. Smallpox is considered one of the most significant biowarfare threats.

The CDC classifies variola, the virus that causes smallpox, as a “Category A” (highest level threat) bioterrorism agent. Further, the Department of Homeland Security has designated smallpox a “material threat” to our national security, which renders ST-246 eligible for purchase for the Strategic National Stockpile under Project Bioshield. Smallpox is readily transmitted between humans, it has significant mortality rates, and the population is no longer vaccinated against it.

In December of 2005, the FDA granted “fast-track” status to SIGA’s ST-246 smallpox drug candidate. SIGA shares would likely move multiples higher on news of FDA approval.

<< BACK TO HOME PAGE | ARCHIVES >>