Genentech joins forces with US govt on national health security meds

To develop innovative medicines that combat diverse national health security threats, the US Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) yesterday announced a strategic partnership with Genentech, the US biotech subsidiary of Swiss pharma giant Roche (ROG: SIX).

The company and ASPR’s Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) will jointly manage and share the cost to develop a portfolio of medicines that meet national health security requirements and have commercial uses. The partners will focus first on developing a first-in-class therapeutic for hospitalized influenza patients and a treatment for lung injuries caused by inhaling sulfur mustard gas.

“The United States faces a host of national health security threats requiring innovative solutions,” said BARDA director Rick Bright, adding: “Partnership agreements like this one allow flexibility to detect, prevent, or treat diverse illness and injury caused by these threats and at the same time decrease costs and maximize efficiency.”