Diversa Awarded Two Biodefense Contracts Totaling $4.8 Million

14-Mar-2005

Diversa Corporation announced that it has been awarded two biodefense contracts totaling $4.8 million from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). The first contract, in the amount of $2.5 million, will support the second year of Diversa's program for "Rapid Antibody-Based Biological Countermeasures" (RAbBC). The second contract, in the amount of $2.3 million, will provide funding for the second year of Diversa's program for "Enzyme-Based Active Decontamination" of chemical and biological agents (EBAD). Funding for the EBAD program is provided via the Chemical and Biological Defense Initiative Fund (CBDIF).

Under the RAbBC program Diversa has been applying its proprietary high-throughput proteomics and antibody optimization technologies to identify important protein targets for new vaccines and antibody therapies and to create optimized antibodies to detect and eliminate anthrax infections.

Under the EBAD program Diversa has been working in collaboration with Agentase LLC and Life Science Research Israel Ltd. (LSRI) to develop an environmentally benign, enzyme-based system that is capable of decontaminating a broad spectrum of both chemical and biological agents. Product applications of any successfully developed system potentially include decontaminating sprays, solutions, foams, wound dressings, fabrics, and protective clothing.

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Topic world Antibodies

Antibodies are specialized molecules of our immune system that can specifically recognize and neutralize pathogens or foreign substances. Antibody research in biotech and pharma has recognized this natural defense potential and is working intensively to make it therapeutically useful. From monoclonal antibodies used against cancer or autoimmune diseases to antibody-drug conjugates that specifically transport drugs to disease cells - the possibilities are enormous

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Topic world Antibodies

Topic world Antibodies

Antibodies are specialized molecules of our immune system that can specifically recognize and neutralize pathogens or foreign substances. Antibody research in biotech and pharma has recognized this natural defense potential and is working intensively to make it therapeutically useful. From monoclonal antibodies used against cancer or autoimmune diseases to antibody-drug conjugates that specifically transport drugs to disease cells - the possibilities are enormous