SIGA Technologies

Last updated

SIGA Technologies, Inc.
Company type Public
Nasdaq:  SIGA
Russell 2000 Component
IndustryHealthcare
Biotechnology
Health security
FoundedDecember 28, 1995;28 years ago (1995-12-28) [1]
Headquarters,
United States
Key people
Diem Nguyen, Ph.D. (CEO)
Dennis E. Hruby, Ph.D. (CSO)
ProductsPharmaceutical agents
RevenueIncrease2.svg $133.7 million (2021)
Increase2.svg $89.1 million (2021)
Increase2.svg $69.5 million (2021)
Number of employees
39 (2022)
Website siga.com
Footnotes /references
[2]

SIGA Technologies, Inc. is an American pharmaceutical company founded in 1995, based in New York City, which develops and sells pharmaceutical solutions for the antiviral treatment of smallpox, monkeypox, cowpox, and vaccinia complications. [3] [4] [5] [6]

Contents

History

In September 2009, SIGA Technologies received a $1.6 million research fund from the National Institutes of Health ("NIH") for its broad-spectrum antiviral candidates. [7]

In August 2011, SIGA Technologies was awarded a $7.7 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop an antiviral drug for treating and preventing Lassa fever and others of arenavirus origin. [8] That year, it sealed a contract worth over $400 million to sell its antiviral drug Tpoxx to the United States Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) for the purpose of its development and distribution. [9] Also in 2011, it was ordered to pay $232 million in damages in a legal dispute with PharmAthene over rights to the smallpox drug tecovirimat. [10] [11]

In July 2013, SIGA Technologies delivered about 590,000 courses of its smallpox antiviral drug tecovirimat (Arestvy) to the United States Government's Strategic National Stockpile (SNS), meeting the requirement of Government's Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). [12]

In May 2018, a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory committee decided that the benefits of SIGA's small molecule antiviral treatment, Tpoxx, outweigh its potential risks. [9] Later in July, FDA granted the approval of Tpoxx to SIGA after the drug was evaluated in 359 healthy human volunteers. [13] In July 2019, SIGA signed a $23 million contract with the United States Department of Defense to create Tpoxx's post-exposure prophylaxis. [14] Tecovirimat was approved for medical use in the European Union in January 2022. [15]

In 2021, SIGA submitted an intravenous version of Tpoxx to the FDA for approval, [16] which was approved in May 2022. [17]

In December 2021, Health Canada approved oral Tpoxx for the treatment of smallpox in adults and pediatric patients weighing at least 13kg. [18]

In January 2022, the European Medicines Agency approved oral tecovirimat for smallpox, monkeypox, cowpox and vaccinia complications in adults and children with a body weight of at least 13kg. [4] [5] [6]

Intravenous (IV) Tpoxx has no lower weight cap and can be used in infants under the Investigational New Drug protocol. [19]

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the FDA have relaxed regulations to make it easier for doctors in the United States to prescribe Tpoxx to treat people with monkeypox. [20] [21] [22]

Operations

SIGA has a well established cooperation with US federal agencies for its research and development activities. It provides countermeasures to the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) and the Department of Defense (DoD), such as Category A pathogens using BSL-3 or -4 work. [23] In September 2018, it signed a contract with BARDA for the delivery of oral and IV formulations of Tpoxx to the Strategic National Stockpile, effective for the following years. [24]

Products and services

SIGA's products include tecovirimat, sold under the brand name Tpoxx, the first drug approved by the FDA to treat adults and children for smallpox. [14]

Recognition

In 2008, SIGA won its fourth listing on the Deloitte Tri-State Area Technology Fast 50, then at #44. [25]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Smallpox vaccine</span> Vaccine against Variola virus

The smallpox vaccine is the first vaccine to have been developed against a contagious disease. In 1796, British physician Edward Jenner demonstrated that an infection with the relatively mild cowpox virus conferred immunity against the deadly smallpox virus. Cowpox served as a natural vaccine until the modern smallpox vaccine emerged in the 20th century. From 1958 to 1977, the World Health Organization (WHO) conducted a global vaccination campaign that eradicated smallpox, making it the only human disease to be eradicated. Although routine smallpox vaccination is no longer performed on the general public, the vaccine is still being produced to guard against bioterrorism, biological warfare, and mpox.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mpox</span> Viral disease of humans and animals

Mpox is an infectious viral disease that can occur in humans and other animals. Symptoms include a rash that forms blisters and then crusts over, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. The illness is usually mild and most of those infected will recover within a few weeks without treatment. The time from exposure to onset of symptoms ranges from five to twenty-one days and symptoms typically last from two to four weeks. Cases may be severe, especially in children, pregnant women or people with suppressed immune systems.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vaccinia</span> Strain of poxvirus

Vaccinia virus is a large, complex, enveloped virus belonging to the poxvirus family. It has a linear, double-stranded DNA genome approximately 190 kbp in length, which encodes approximately 250 genes. The dimensions of the virion are roughly 360 × 270 × 250 nm, with a mass of approximately 5–10 fg. The vaccinia virus is the source of the modern smallpox vaccine, which the World Health Organization (WHO) used to eradicate smallpox in a global vaccination campaign in 1958–1977. Although smallpox no longer exists in the wild, vaccinia virus is still studied widely by scientists as a tool for gene therapy and genetic engineering.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ritonavir</span> Antiretroviral medication

Ritonavir, sold under the brand name Norvir, is an antiretroviral medication used along with other medications to treat HIV/AIDS. This combination treatment is known as highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Ritonavir is a protease inhibitor, though it now mainly serves to boost the potency of other protease inhibitors. It may also be used in combination with other medications to treat hepatitis C and COVID-19. It is taken by mouth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cidofovir</span> Antiviral drug

Cidofovir, brand name Vistide, is a topical or injectable antiviral medication primarily used as a treatment for cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in people with AIDS.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fosphenytoin</span> Anti-epileptic drug

Fosphenytoin, also known as fosphenytoin sodium, and sold under the brand name Cerebyx among others, is a water-soluble phenytoin prodrug that is administered intravenously to deliver phenytoin, potentially more safely than intravenous phenytoin. It is used in the acute treatment of convulsive status epilepticus.

Orthopoxvirus is a genus of viruses in the family Poxviridae and subfamily Chordopoxvirinae. Vertebrates, including mammals and humans, and arthropods serve as natural hosts. There are 12 species in this genus. Diseases associated with this genus include smallpox, cowpox, horsepox, camelpox, and mpox. The most widely known member of the genus is Variola virus, which causes smallpox. It was eradicated globally by 1977, through the use of Vaccinia virus as a vaccine. The most recently described species is the Alaskapox virus, first isolated in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peramivir</span> Antiviral drug targeting influenza

Peramivir is an antiviral drug developed by BioCryst Pharmaceuticals for the treatment of influenza. Peramivir is a neuraminidase inhibitor, acting as a transition-state analogue inhibitor of influenza neuraminidase and thereby preventing new viruses from emerging from infected cells. It is approved for intravenous administration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Project Bioshield Act</span> US law

The Project Bioshield Act was an act passed by the United States Congress in 2004 calling for $5 billion for purchasing vaccines that would be used in the event of a bioterrorist attack. This was a ten-year program to acquire medical countermeasures to biological, chemical, radiological, and nuclear agents for civilian use. A key element of the Act was to allow stockpiling and distribution of vaccines which had not been tested for safety or efficacy in humans, due to ethical concerns. Efficacy of such agents cannot be directly tested in humans without also exposing humans to the chemical, biological, or radioactive threat being treated, so testing follows the FDA Animal Rule for pivotal animal efficacy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ACAM2000</span> Smallpox vaccine

ACAM2000 is a smallpox vaccine manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur Biologics Co. It provides protection against smallpox for people determined to be at high risk for smallpox infection.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority</span> Government organization in Washington D.C., United States

The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA)' is a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) office responsible for the procurement and development of medical countermeasures, principally against bioterrorism, including chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) threats, as well as pandemic influenza and emerging diseases. BARDA was established in 2006 through the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA) and reports to the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR). The office manages Project BioShield, which funds the research, development and stockpiling of vaccines and treatments that the government could use during public health emergencies such as chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) attacks.

BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is an American pharmaceutical company headquartered in Durham, North Carolina. The company is a late stage biotech company that focuses on oral drugs for rare and serious diseases. BioCryst's antiviral drug peramivir (Rapivab) was approved by FDA in December 2014. It has also been approved in Japan, Korea, and China.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tecovirimat</span> Antiviral medication

Tecovirimat, sold under the brand name Tpoxx among others, is an antiviral medication with activity against orthopoxviruses such as smallpox and mpox. In 2018 it became the first antipoxviral drug approved in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edaravone</span> Chemical compound

Edaravone, sold under the brand name Radicava among others, is a medication used to treat stroke and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It is given by intravenous infusion and by mouth.

Vaccinia immune globulin (VIG) is made from the pooled blood of individuals who have been inoculated with the smallpox vaccine. The antibodies these individuals developed in response to the smallpox vaccine are removed and purified. This results in VIG. It can be administered intravenously. It is used to treat individuals who have developed progressive vaccinia after smallpox vaccination.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brincidofovir</span> Antiviral drug

Brincidofovir, sold under the brand name Tembexa, is an antiviral drug used to treat smallpox. Brincidofovir is a prodrug of cidofovir. Conjugated to a lipid, the compound is designed to release cidofovir intracellularly, allowing for higher intracellular and lower plasma concentrations of cidofovir, effectively increasing its activity against dsDNA viruses, as well as oral bioavailability.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Remdesivir</span> Antiviral drug

Remdesivir, sold under the brand name Veklury, is a broad-spectrum antiviral medication developed by the biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences. It is administered via injection into a vein. During the COVID‑19 pandemic, remdesivir was approved or authorized for emergency use to treat COVID‑19 in numerous countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Molnupiravir</span> Antiviral medication

Molnupiravir, sold under the brand name Lagevrio, is an antiviral medication that inhibits the replication of certain RNA viruses. It is used to treat COVID‑19 in those infected by SARS-CoV-2. It is taken by mouth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Serdexmethylphenidate</span> CNS Stimulant (prodrug)

Serdexmethylphenidate is a prodrug of dexmethylphenidate created by the pharmaceutical company KemPharm. The compound was first approved by the FDA as one of the active ingredients in Azstarys for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, adolescents, and adults in March 2021. Serdexmethylphenidate is a prodrug which has a delayed onset of action and a prolonged duration of effects compared to dexmethylphenidate, its parent compound.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir</span> Antiviral combination medication

Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir, sold under the brand name Paxlovid, is a co-packaged medication used as a treatment for COVID‑19. It contains the antiviral medications nirmatrelvir and ritonavir and was developed by Pfizer. Nirmatrelvir inhibits SARS-CoV-2 main protease, while ritonavir is a strong CYP3A inhibitor, slowing down nirmatrelvir metabolism and therefore boosting its effect. It is taken by mouth.

References

  1. "SIGA Technologies Inc". Reuters. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
  2. "SIGA Technologies, Inc. FORM 10-K". U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission . Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  3. "Company Business Summary".
  4. 1 2 "Monkeypox outbreak: Drugmaker SIGA says EU authorities seeking to stockpile its smallpox antiviral". Euronews Next. May 20, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  5. 1 2 "SIGA Technologies Receives Approval from the European Medicines Agency for Tecovirimat". SIGA Technologies. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  6. 1 2 "Summary Of Product Characteristics" (PDF). European Medicines Agency. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  7. "$1.6 Million NIH Cooperative Agreement Supports SIGA Broad Spectrum Antiviral Research".
  8. "SIGA Awarded a $7.7 Million Grant for the Development of Antiviral Drugs for Arenaviruses" (Press release).
  9. 1 2 Abbott, C. C. (May 3, 2018). "SIGA Technologies: A Buy For The Smallpox Treatment". Seeking Alpha. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
  10. "Smallpox Drug Maker Siga to Mediate PharmAthene Dispute". Bloomberg News. October 31, 2014.
  11. "Negotiation in Good Faith—SIGA v. PharmAthene". corpgov.law.harvard.edu. January 27, 2016. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  12. "SIGA Meets Drug Delivery Condition Under BARDA Contract and Qualifies for First Payment for Delivering Arestvyr(TM)". MarketWatch. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  13. "FDA approves the first drug with an indication for treatment of smallpox". U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (Press release). February 9, 2019. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
  14. 1 2 "SIGA Technologies: Biodefense Pharma Unlocks New Value Abroad For Tpoxx". SeekingAlpha. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  15. "Tecovirimat SIGA EPAR". European Medicines Agency. November 10, 2021. Retrieved April 23, 2022. Text was copied from this source which is copyright European Medicines Agency. Reproduction is authorized provided the source is acknowledged.
  16. "FDA approves Chimerix's oral suspension smallpox antiviral, giving treatment option to dysphagic patients". FiercePharma. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  17. "SIGA Receives Approval from the FDA for Intravenous (IV) Formulation of Tpoxx (tecovirimat)". SIGA Technologies. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  18. "SIGA Announces Health Canada Regulatory Approval of Oral Tpoxx". SIGA Technologies. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  19. "Monkeypox Outbreak: Updates on the Epidemiology, Testing, Treatment, and Vaccination" (PDF). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  20. Nathan-Kazi, Josh (August 4, 2022). "U.S. Declares Monkeypox Emergency, Weighs Step That Could Quintuple Inoculations". Barron's.
  21. "U.S. declares monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency". Reuters. August 4, 2022.
  22. Vishnoi Bre Bradham, Abhishek; Ekblom, Jonas (August 1, 2022). "Investors lap up shares of firms that may benefit from Monkeypox". Business Standard.
  23. "Company with Government Relations".
  24. in-pharmatechnologist.com (September 21, 2018). "Siga signs $629m contract with BARDA for smallpox drug stockpiling". in-pharmatechnologist.com. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
  25. "SIGA Technologies Named to Deloitte Tri-State Area Technology Fast 50" (Press release).