Island Pharmaceuticals makes key appointment ahead of US biodefence trials

• Highly experienced US biodefence executive appointed as advisor
• More than 25 years’ experience across biodefence, government contracting and medical countermeasures
• Representation secured on strategically important MC2
• On track to commence planned dose optimisation studies

Antiviral drug development company, Island Pharmaceuticals (ASX: ILA), is ramping up its US biodefence ecosystem engagement initiatives with a key appointment.

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In the lead up to the commencement of its planned dose escalation study next quarter to support the development of Galidesivir for the treatment of Marburg Virus Disease (MVD), Island has expanded its engagement across the US biodefence landscape with the appointment of Mark Herzog as senior global health security advisor.

The company is also advancing a number of initiatives as part of its membership of the Medical Countermeasures Coalition (MC2), an international alliance focused on advancing vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics targeting emerging infectious diseases and biological threats.

CEO and MD, Dr David Foster, said the initiatives represent important steps in Island’s strategy to strengthen its engagement across the US biodefence and global health security ecosystem as it continues advancing Galidesivir under the FDA’s Animal Rule pathway for Marburg Virus Disease.

“The appointment of Mark Herzog materially enhances Island’s strategic engagement capability through his extensive experience across biodefence policy, medical countermeasure development, government affairs and procurement initiatives,” Dr Foster said.

“Importantly, his relationships and experience across agencies including the DoD, HHS and BARDA are highly complementary to Island’s ongoing regulatory and clinical development activities.

“In parallel, our appointment to the MC2 Research and Development and Procurement and Stockpiling working groups provides valuable engagement opportunities regarding evolving biodefence funding, procurement and stockpiling frameworks directly relevant to future medical countermeasure development and deployment.”

Dr Foster, said collectively the initiatives continue to strengthen Island’s strategic positioning toward potential future regulatory, procurement and stockpiling opportunities.

As part of his engagement, Mr Herzog will assist Island in expanding its presence within the US biodefence and global health security ecosystem, with a focus on strategic government engagement, medical countermeasure policy, procurement pathways and pandemic preparedness initiatives.

ILA is down 11.8% to 37.5¢. Mkt cap $125.7M.

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