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Obiltoxaximab: First Global Approval

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Abstract

Obiltoxaximab (Anthim®, ETI-204) is a monoclonal antibody that is being developed by Elusys Therapeutics and the US Department of Health and Human Services’ Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority for the prevention and treatment of inhalational anthrax due to Bacillus anthracis. Obiltoxaximab has been designed to neutralize the free protective antigen of B. anthracis, thereby inhibiting the lethal effects of anthrax toxins. In March 2016, intravenous obiltoxaximab was approved in the USA for the treatment (in combination with appropriate antibacterial drugs) and prophylaxis of inhalational anthrax. Obiltoxaximab is being developed under the US FDA Animal Rule, in which marketing approval is based on its efficacy in relevant animal models and safety in phase I studies in healthy human volunteers. An intramuscular formulation of obiltoxaximab has also been evaluated in animal studies and a phase I study in healthy human volunteers. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of obiltoxaximab leading to this first approval for the treatment and prevention of inhalation anthrax.

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Disclosure

The preparation of this review was not supported by any external funding. During the peer review process the manufacturer of the agent under review was offered an opportunity to comment on the article. Changes resulting from any comments received were made by the author on the basis of scientific completeness and accuracy. Sarah Greig is a salaried employee of Adis, Springer SBM.

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    Sarah L. Greig

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  1. Sarah L. Greig
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Correspondence to Sarah L. Greig.

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This profile has been extracted and modified from the AdisInsight database. AdisInsight tracks drug development worldwide through the entire development process, from discovery, through pre-clinical and clinical studies to market launch and beyond.

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Greig, S.L. Obiltoxaximab: First Global Approval. Drugs 76, 823–830 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40265-016-0577-0

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