Cipla, SIGA Technologies Come Together to Make Novel Antibacterial Drugs for Biothreats Accessible

Cipla Therapeutics, a commercial-stage pharmaceutical company focused on the health security market is all set to venture into a strategic partnership with SIGA Technologies to deliver sustained innovation and access to novel antibacterial drugs, especially against biothreats.

The World Health Organization has declared that anti-microbial resistance (AMR) one of the top 10 global public health threats facing humanity2 which puts at risk the effective prevention and treatment of a wide range of infections.

As per to the AMR Industry Alliance, a global AMR private sector coalition, AMR is the ability of a microorganism (such as bacteria, viruses, and some parasites) to stop an antimicrobial (such as antibiotics, antivirals and antimalarials) from working against it. It is an increasingly crucial threat to global public health which is present in every country around the world and infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria can cause death.

Garrett Ingram, CEO of Cipla Therapeutics states, “The strategic collaboration between Cipla and SIGA will provide the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) department, with solutions for its biothreat and public health needs. AMR is a global priority for Cipla and our continued investment in this area along with SIGA’s drug development and US experience creates a unique and strong partnership.”

Phil Gomez, CEO, SIGA says, “We are thrilled to have teamed up with Cipla to tackle the very important public health challenge of AMR. Our longtime partner BARDA has recognized this as a critical issue, for not only public health, but biothreats as well. With our drug development expertise under the animal rule and government contracting expertise, and Cipla’s novel antibiotic products and extensive manufacturing capabilities, we are confident that together we are ideally-suited to provide innovative solutions to BARDA and other government customers.”

SIGA has obtained and successfully managed multiple contracts awarded by the U.S. government over a period of more than a decade that provide for the development and procurement of up to approximately $1 billion for the supply and re-supply of TPOXX in the Strategic National Stockpile. Furthermore, SIGA brings expertise in developing and enhancing US-based supply chains to enable robust delivery of medical counter measures to the U.S. Government.