Human Genome sells more anthrax drug to US government

The Associated Press reports that Human Genome Sciences Inc. announced that the U. S. government has placed an additional order for its inhaled anthrax treatment ABthrax for $151 million. The government exercised an option to buy an additional 45,000 doses of ABthrax. Human Genome Sciences will deliver the doses over a three-year period starting later this year. The company said it will receive payment as deliveries are finished. Human Genome Science developed ABthrax as part of a government program. In April, it delivered 20,000 doses of ABthrax for use in a national emergency stockpile. The company was paid $153.8 million for that delivery. Human Genome Sciences is also seeking Food and Drug Administration marketing approval for ABthrax. Earlier this month, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed the drug was effective in animals.