Cleveland BioLabs [CBLI] has received a potential $8.9 million contract from the Defense Department’s Chemical Biological Medical Systems (CBMS) Joint Program Management Office for the advanced development of Protectan CBLB502 as a medical radiation countermeasure to treat radiation injury following exposure to radiation from nuclear or radiological weapons. Earlier this year Osiris Therapeutics [OSIR] won a potential $225 million contract from DoD to develop its Prochymal adult stem therapy for the repair of gastrointestinal injury due to radiation exposure (TR2, Jan. 9). Osiris was awarded the contract over Cleveland BioLabs at the time. “Preliminary data suggests that Protectan CBLB502 is safe and efficacious in animals, is suitable for use on the battlefield or following evacuation, and has a manageable logistics burden,” says Col. David Williams, joint project manager with the CBMS.
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