Send to printer »  Insight & Intelligence™ : Apr 25, 2011  Japan
Disaster Renews Interest in Antiradiation Drug Development
BARDA's flexibility in dealing with industry is improving
investor's confidence in biodefense.   • Patricia Fitzpatrick
Dimond, Ph.D.  Damage to Japanese nuclear power plants and
potential risks of radiation poisoning continue to make headline
news. Some biotech companies that are developing agents to treat
short- and long-term radiation effects have seen their stock-
trading volume increase dramatically as investors seek
opportunity in the midst of the crisis.  The attention has
created a unique chance for relatively unknown companies to get
a share of drug development funds and become major government
suppliers for emergency stockpiles of such drugs. A significant
cost, however, may be derailment of company focus from core,
longer-term programs as internal gears switch to government-
funded projects with short-term financial rewards and relaxed
regulatory requirements.  Biotech execs ha