PolyMedix and University of Massachusetts Receive $750,000 Contract from U.S. Army Research Office
Another drivel* of money for one of their pre-clinical programs.
Supports Continued Development of Novel Antibacterial Compounds Against Drug Resistant Bacterial Biofilms
RADNOR, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- PolyMedix, Inc. (OTCBB: PYMX), an emerging biotechnology company focused on developing new therapeutic drugs to treat infectious diseases and acute cardiovascular disorders, and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst (UMass), have received a Phase 2 Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) contract in the amount of $750,000. This contract will allow PolyMedix to conduct further testing on antimicrobial compounds which PolyMedix identified under the initial Phase 1 contract. These compounds are being developed to specifically treat multi-drug resistant biofilm-embedded bacteria. This award represents the 15th grant or research contract received to date by PolyMedix.
This two-year contract is sponsored by the U.S. Army Research Office. Under this Phase 2 STTR contract, PolyMedix and UMass will conduct further research and analysis, including in vitro and proof of concept in vivo studies, to identify lead small molecule defensin-mimetic antimicrobial compounds active against bacterial pathogens associated with biofilm infections. PolyMedix expects to receive $524,000 under this contract.
“We appreciate the continued interest of the U.S. Army Research Office, and granting us this contract which allows us to expand upon our research conducted under the Phase 1 portion that we received in August 2009,” commented Dr. Richard Scott, Vice President of Research at PolyMedix. “Biofilm infections can be serious and life-threatening. We believe that our small molecule defensin-mimetics, with their completely different mechanism of action that is intended to make bacterial resistance unlikely to develop, could be an important advance in addressing biofilm infections. We look forward to continuing to work with the U.S. Army to develop our compounds for military applications and to safeguard our all-important armed services.”
* Historically drivel and dribble are used interchangeably on some boards |
