SIGA, Army To Collaborate On Staphylococcal Vaccines

SIGA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) have established a cooperative research agreement to develop a vaccine against staphylococcal infections. Staphyloccal bacteria are the leading cause of hospital-acquired infections, which affect more than two million patients each year. The project will combine SIGA's patented vaccine delivery system with USAMRIID's proprietary staphylococcal antigen (a molecule that triggers an immune response).

"A staphylococcal vaccine should have a significant impact on hospital-associated morbidity and mortality and, hopefully, reduce our reliance on antibiotic therapy and the associated problem of drug resistance," said Dr. Dennis E. Hruby, SIGA's vice president for Research.

USAMRIID's mission is to conduct research to develop strategies, products, information and training for medical defense against biological warfare threats and against naturally occurring infectious agents of military importance that require special containment. Medical countermeasures developed to protect military personnel against biological attack include vaccines, therapeutic drugs, diagnostic capabilities, and various medical management procedures. These products are intended to eliminate or minimize the effects of disease and preserve fighting strength.

"Given the many disease problems associated with pathogenic staphylococci and the emergence of multi-drug-resistant strains, we are excited about the opportunity to work with SIGA scientists to develop an anti-staphylococcal vaccine," said UAMRIID investigators Dr. Bradley Stiles and Dr. Robert Ulrich.

For more information: Dr. Joshua D. Schein, chief executive officer, SIGA Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 620, New York, NY 10017. Telephone: 212-672-9100. Fax: 212-697-3130.