SymBio Pharmaceuticals Limited announced that it has entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health in the United States, to investigate the efficacy of brincidofovir (BCV) in the treatment of Epstein-Barr virus ("EBV") diseases. EBV is known as the cause of most cases of infectious mononucleosis and is associated with various diseases including malignant lymphoproliferative diseases. BCV is an antiviral agent with a broad spectrum of anti-viral activity for double stranded DNA (dsDNA) viruses with higher in vitro antiviral activity against EBV.

SymBio is currently conducting two international Phase II clinical trials, one for adenovirus infection in immunocompromised patients as well as for BKV infection after renal transplantation. This cooperative research with NIH/NIAID will enable SymBio to assess a potential efficacy of BCV as EBV-targeted therapy for various EBV diseases using translational platforms at NIAID in which EBV diseases and related outcomes can be monitored using in vitro cell experiments and in vivo animal studies. A Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) provides an opportunity for NIH scientists to collaborate with private industry and universities to jointly pursue common research goals.

NIH scientists can leverage the research resources of private companies and universities to facilitate the development and commercialization of healthcare drugs and products. Private companies, in turn, can promote their own R&D activities while collaborating on cutting-edge NIH research. The purpose of a CRADA is to make Government facilities, intellectual property, and expertise available for cooperative interactions to further the development of scientific and technological knowledge into useful, marketable products.