Bristol-Myers Squibb Offers To Work With U.S. Government To Combat Bioterrorism

Company Offers Dedicated Antibioterrorism Research Team, Free Antibiotic for Potential Anthrax Use

29-Oct-2001

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company announced actions in support of the campaign against bioterrorism. In a letter dated October 22 to Tommy G. Thompson, Secretary of the Department of Health and Human services, Bristol-Myers Squibb Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Peter R. Dolan said the company will:

* Provide a dedicated antibioterrorism team of 20-25 scientists specialized in anti-bacterial research who will initiate a multiprong attack on the microbial weapons of bioterrorism. This team will pursue research under government direction and be fully funded by Bristol-Myers Squibb.

* Make the antibiotic TEQUIN® (gatifloxacin) available to the American people free of charge. Specifically, if the government wishes and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) should approve the use of TEQUIN in anthrax, Bristol-Myers Squibb is willing to provide the antibiotic at no cost to any person who is confirmed to have anthrax infection or who has been exposed to anthrax spores and needs prophylactic treatment. TEQUIN is in the same class of antibiotic as Cipro and has shown activity against the anthrax bacillus in an animal model.

* Consider sharing the TEQUIN license with the government or with other companies, after receiving all necessary approvals, in the unlikely event that the need should exceed the supply. In addition, the company may be able to deploy portions of its manufacturing network in support of the defense effort if necessary.

"At this time of national crisis, I am proud that Bristol-Myers Squibb is helping to allay the concerns of the American people and committing its resources against the threat of bioterrorism," said Mr. Dolan. "I have been in contact with Secretary Thompson since early Monday when I made the specifics of our offer on behalf of Bristol-Myers Squibb, and I am delighted that the pharmaceutical industry is taking decisive action against bioterrorism."

In the letter to Secretary Thompson, Mr. Dolan stressed that "In an uncertain world, business and government must look for innovative ways to work together in the national interest, as we have done in the past." He added that Bristol-Myers Squibb stands ready to work with the government in other ways as the needs and plans of the nation evolve in the war against bioterrorism.

https://www.bionity.com/en/news/5637/bristol-myers-squibb-offers-to-work-with-u-s-government-to-combat-bioterrorism.html