Siga Technologies Secures $9 Million U.S. Defense Department Contract for Smallpox Treatment

Siga Technologies has secured a $9 million contract from the U.S. Defense Department for TPOXX, its smallpox treatment drug. This contract follows two previous procurements, with approximately $154 million in outstanding orders, predominantly from the past three months. TPOXX is FDA-approved for smallpox and monkeypox treatment in the U.S. and Canada, and is authorized for additional conditions in Europe and the UK.

Siga Technologies, Inc. (SIGA), a leading pharmaceutical company specializing in infectious diseases, announced on August 21, 2024, that it had secured a new contract with the United States Department of Defense (DOD) worth approximately $9 million [1]. This contract primarily involves the procurement of oral TPOXX®, with a small amount of intravenous (IV) TPOXX®.

SIGA's collaboration with the DOD's Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense (JPEO-CBRND) has been ongoing for several years, with the company working to develop a Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) indication for oral TPOXX®. This work has been supported by a development contract worth around $27 million [1].

SIGA's CEO, Diem Nguyen, expressed her pleasure at the continued partnership with the DOD, stating that providing TPOXX® plays a critical role in protecting military personnel against orthopoxvirus risks, such as smallpox. This announcement underscores SIGA's commitment to ensuring the safety of troops while also developing innovative treatments that benefit people worldwide [1].

With this latest contract award, SIGA currently has approximately $154 million of outstanding orders for oral and IV TPOXX® [1]. More than 85% of this amount was generated within the past three months, highlighting the increasing demand for TPOXX® from the DOD and other clients [1].

TPOXX® is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved treatment for smallpox and monkeypox in the United States and Canada, and is authorized for additional conditions in Europe and the United Kingdom [1]. The importance of TPOXX® as a critical countermeasure against orthopoxvirus risks has been emphasized by the World Health Organization (WHO), which has included it in its emergency stockpile since 2012 [2].

References:

[1] Siga Technologies, Inc. (2024, August 21). SIGA Announces New Contract Awarded by U.S. Department of Defense for the Procurement of $9 Million of TPOXX®. GlobeNewswire. Retrieved from https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/08/21/2933827/9738/en/SIGA-Announces-New-Contract-Awarded-by-U-S-Department-of-Defense-for-the-Procurement-of-9-Million-of-TPOXX.html

[2] World Health Organization. (2022, June 20). WHO Stockpile. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240026184