AliquantumRx Inc. signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with The United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of cethromycin-HCL against bacterial biothreat pathogens Bacillus anthracis (BA), Francisella tularensis (FT), Yersinia pestis (YP), Burkholderia mallei (BM), and Burkholderia pseudomallei (BP). Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assays will be performed following Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) procedures in order to evaluate activity in a 5-strain representative panel, as well as 30-strain panels for each biothreat agent.
“Cethromycin base has already been shown to be highly effective against bioterror pathogens” commented Dr. Kaludov, “and we anticipate AQR’s new salt formulation to be equally or more potent than the base, due to its improved solubility”. “Novel treatments for category A bioterror agents are always needed”, added Dr. Sullivan, Chairman of the Board and professor at Johns Hopkins University. “Should Cethromycin-HCl show good efficacy in animal models of anthrax, plague and tularemia, AQR will seek an orphan drug designation for Cethromycin-HCl.” Orphan drug designation qualifies sponsors for incentives, including tax credits for qualified clinical trials, exemption from user fees and potential seven years of market exclusivity after approval.
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Except for historical information, the matters set forth above may be forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, such as the failure to meet the conditions imposed by the FDA or other regulators, statements with respect to internal expectations, the competitive environment within the industry, the ability of AliquantumRx to continue to expand its operations, the level of costs incurred in connection with AliquantumRx’s expansion efforts, and economic conditions in the industry. AliquantumRx does not undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking statements.