Eitr Biologics, Inc., is a for-profit biotechnology company specializing in development of novel nano-therapeutics, antibody-based platforms, and antibody discovery services to combat viral infections and other biological threats. The company provides specialized research services and products to various federal agencies, including the Defense Health Agency (DHA), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and National Institutes of Health (NIH). Eitr Biologics focuses on advancing innovative medical countermeasures against a wide range of viral threats, including influenza, SARS-CoV-2, and other emerging pathogens. The company's expertise lies in antibody engineering, nanotherapeutics, and the development of cutting-edge platforms for discovering and producing monoclonal antibodies. Through federal contract awards, Eitr Biologics has undertaken several significant projects for government agencies. The company was awarded a $311 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) to develop a multimodal antibody platform for extending the window of immunotherapeutic intervention against viral infections. This contract, with a performance period through September 2034, demonstrates the long-term commitment to advancing antibody-based technologies. Eitr Biologics has also received multiple awards from the Defense Health Agency, including a $1.3 million firm-fixed-price purchase order for sorting peripheral blood mononuclear cells from Lassa fever virus survivors to discover and produce monoclonal antibodies. Another DHA contract, valued at $1.66 million, involves novel cell sorting services for antibody discovery against Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus. The company has also been tasked with developing novel nanotherapeutic approaches for treating pneumonic plague under a $750,000 firm fixed price delivery order from the DHA. These contracts highlight Eitr Biologics' capabilities in antibody discovery, cell sorting, and nanotherapeutic development for various infectious diseases. Eitr Biologics has secured several federal grant awards to support its research and development efforts. The CDC awarded the company a $899,382 Cooperative Agreement grant under the Prevention of Disease, Disability, and Death through Immunization and Control of Respiratory and Related Diseases program to develop novel bispecific nanotherapeutics as broad-spectrum influenza antivirals. This project aims to create antivirals that are refractory to viral escape. Additionally, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) provided Eitr Biologics with a project grant to enhance the potency and breadth of a betacoronavirus medical countermeasure. This research focuses on multidimensional antibody engineering to develop more effective therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2 and related betacoronaviruses. The company has also participated as a sub-grantee in a project titled "A Trojan Horse Bispecific Antibody Strategy for Broad Filovirus Therapeutics," working in collaboration with the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. These grant awards demonstrate Eitr Biologics' involvement in cutting-edge research across multiple viral threats and its ability to collaborate with academic institutions. Eitr Biologics holds an Indefinite Delivery Vehicle (IDV) contract with the Defense Health Agency, valued at $4.39 million, for developing novel nanotherapeutics to combat pneumonic plague. This single-award IDV, with a performance period through August 2028, allows the DHA to issue task orders for specific research and development activities. Under this vehicle, Eitr Biologics has already received a $750,000 firm fixed price delivery order to conduct research on nanotherapeutic approaches that penetrate the outer layers of the Yersinia pestis bacterium and target outer membrane proteins. This work, performed in San Diego, California, aims to assess potential therapies for treating pneumonic plague through in vitro and in vivo assays. The IDV structure enables the DHA to efficiently procure specialized research services and products tailored to its requirements in combating biological threats, particularly focusing on innovative nanotherapeutic solutions for dangerous diseases like pneumonic plague.
