BioCryst Pharmaceuticals has received a contract valued at up to $69m from the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the procurement of RAPIVAB to treat influenza.

This contract is intended to bolster the US Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) with up to 95,625 doses over a five-year period.

The HHS Office of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) structured the contract with a one-year base ordering period and four optional one-year periods.

ASPR has already committed $13.9m for the initial order, with BioCryst planning to deliver 19,125 doses by 29 September 2025.

RAPIVAB, used in the H1N1 influenza pandemic under an emergency use authorisation in 2009, was previously part of a $34.7m contract for the SNS, completed by BioCryst in 2022.

It is approved in the US for acute uncomplicated influenza treatment in patients from six months of age and above who have been symptomatic for no more than two days.

BioCryst chief research and development officer Dr Helen Thackray said: “Since the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, RAPIVAB has been an important component of the US government’s influenza preparedness efforts.

“As we continue to see emerging changes to circulating influenza viruses, we are pleased to fulfil this order to ensure RAPIVAB remains readily available as a therapeutic option in the event of a potential serious influenza outbreak.”

Administered intravenously, RAPIVAB's efficacy is supported by clinical trials with the predominant infections being influenza A virus, and a smaller number of cases with influenza B virus.

The recommended doses are 600mg for adults and adolescents, and 12mg per kilogram for six months to 12-year-old children.

BioCryst gained marketing authorisation from Chile's Public Health Institute in May 2023, for ORLADEYO, an oral treatment for hereditary angioedema attacks in patients aged 12 years and above.