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SIGA Announces $2.3 Million in New Contracts with the U.S. Air Force

http://www.marketwatch.com/News/Story/Story.aspx?guid=%7B96A71874%2D18C6%2D45F9%2DAE8C%2D64F536735D2....


NEW YORK, Nov 10, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- SIGA Technologies, Inc. (SIGA : siga technologies inc com
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7:04am 11/10/2006

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SIGA3.96, +0.07, +1.8%) today announced receipt of two contracts from the U.S. Air Force for a total of $2.3 million. SIGA received a one-year, $1.4 million contract with the Air Force Medical Service for the development of counter-measures against important potential biowarfare pathogens, the Dengue viruses, and other water-related viral agents. SIGA also received a one-year, $900,000 contract to aid the USAF Special Operations Command (USAFSOC) in its development of specific anti-viral agents, focusing on orthopoxvirus targets distinct from the target that is the focus of SIGA-246, the Company's lead smallpox drug.
"We appreciate the opportunity to continue the development of these critical biological defense capabilities with our colleagues from the Air Force," said Dr. Dennis E. Hruby, Chief Scientific Officer of SIGA.
Dengue fever and Dengue hemorrhagic fever are acute febrile mosquito-borne diseases caused by one of four closely related virus serotypes of the genus Flaviviridae. The two diseases affect tens of millions of people worldwide every year and present a biodefense threat in the U.S. Currently, there is no approved drug or vaccine against Dengue, leaving troops vulnerable overseas and in areas affected by flooding.
SIGA recently announced a breakthrough in its SIGA-246 program with the successful completion of a preliminary primate trial in which the drug completely prevented smallpox disease.
About SIGA Technologies, Inc.
SIGA Technologies is applying viral and bacterial genomics and sophisticated computational modeling in the design and development of novel products for the prevention and treatment of serious infectious diseases, with an emphasis on products for biological warfare defense. SIGA believes that it is a leader in the development of pharmaceutical agents and vaccines to fight potential biowarfare pathogens. In addition to smallpox, SIGA has antiviral programs targeting other Category A pathogens, including arenaviruses (Lassa fever, Junin, Machupo, Guanarito, Sabia, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis), dengue virus, and the filoviruses (Ebola and Marburg).
For more information about SIGA, please visit SIGA's Web site at www.siga.com.