of Biological Defense Vaccines
EL SEGUNDO, Calif., March 29 // -- Computer Sciences Corporation (NYSE: CSC) today announced that DynPort Vaccine Company LLC (DVC), a CSC company, has made significant progress on several biodefense vaccine development programs it manages for the U.S. Department of Defense Joint Vaccine Acquisition Program (JVAP).
DVC has served as prime systems contractor for the JVAP since 1997, and has since made considerable progress in the advanced development of several biodefense vaccines. Since 2005, DVC has initiated Phase 1 clinical trials for three JVAP biodefense vaccine development programs, all of which were developed by the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID). These are a recombinant plague vaccine (rF1V), which is now in Phase 2 clinical testing, a vaccine for Venezuelan equine encephalitis and a recombinant vaccine for botulinum neurotoxin serotypes A and B. Two Phase 1 clinical trials are underway to evaluate safety and immunogenicity of the botulinum neurotoxin A/B vaccine candidate. The final group of volunteers in the second of these studies was vaccinated in February 2007.
In addition, DVC successfully acquired Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for these JVAP programs. Fast Track status allows the FDA to expedite review of drugs and biologics that demonstrate the potential to address unmet medical needs and are intended to treat serious or life-threatening conditions.
"Protecting the warfighter against biological threats was DVC's first business, and remains a critical component of our comprehensive biomedical countermeasure solutions," said Dr. Robert V. House, president and chief scientific officer of DVC. "In the last ten years, we have made significant progress in our biodefense work for the JVAP, as well as public health and biodefense initiatives for the Department of Health and Human Services, and remain committed to these vital efforts."
DVC was awarded a five-year, $242.5 million contract from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Public Health Emergency Preparedness in 2006 to develop seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccines in support of the establishment of a diversified influenza manufacturing industry. Since 2004, DVC has been awarded several biodefense contracts from the National Institutes of Allergy & Infectious Diseases (NIAID), a component of the National Institutes of Health. In addition, DVC is developing tularemia vaccine candidates and conducting related activities under a five- year, $35.1 million NIAID contract awarded in 2005.
"Through funding vehicles such as the Project Bioshield Fund and the Public Health & Social Services Fund, U.S. Government spending on biodefense and pandemic preparedness is on the rise," said Dr. Robert Wah, vice president and chief medical officer of CSC's Federal Sector business unit. "DVC's work for the JVAP and other federal clients is central to our team's broader efforts to expand in this market segment."
CSC's expertise in providing health services to government agencies has evolved over the last five decades. Today, the company offers commercial best practices integrated to meet federal healthcare requirements, from the development of information technology (IT) systems to the delivery of biodefense products. CSC's solutions include integrated pharmacy benefit solutions, clinical information systems, disease surveillance systems and healthcare training and simulation.
The JVAP's mission is to develop, produce and stockpile FDA-licensed vaccine products to help protect the warfighter against biological warfare agents. The JVAP consolidates the Department of Defense's efforts for the advanced development, testing, FDA licensing, production and storage of biological defense vaccines.
DVC is a technology integrator that provides solutions to protect humanity from emerging threats. For more information, visit DVC's Web site at http://www.csc.com/dvc.
The safety and efficacy of these products in humans has not been established. These products are currently under clinical investigation and have not been licensed by the FDA.
About CSC
Computer Sciences Corporation is a leading global IT services company. CSC's mission is to provide customers in industry and government with solutions crafted to meet their specific challenges and enable them to profit from the advanced use of technology.
With approximately 77,000 employees, CSC provides innovative solutions for customers around the world by applying leading technologies and CSC's own advanced capabilities. These include systems design and integration; IT and business process outsourcing; applications software development; Web and application hosting; and management consulting. Headquartered in El Segundo, Calif., CSC reported revenue of $14.7 billion for the 12 months ended Dec. 29, 2006. For more information, visit the company's Web site at http://www.csc.com.
