DynPort scores $32M to research infectious diseases

Frederick company wins another federal biodefense contract

DynPort and Quintiles will assess the safety therapeutic products being studied by the infectious disease institute and analyze four new products per year. Trials will involve candidates for a broad range of infectious diseases, which could include measures to protect against viral, bacterial, parasitic and fungal pathogens.

They will also include the institute’s biodefense pathogens and both emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, according to DynPort information.

DynPort and Quintiles have ‘‘an established history of success — both individually and as partners — in clinical trial management of medical countermeasures,” Robert V. House, president of DynPort, said in a statement. Work will be performed by DynPort at its headquarters in Frederick.

DynPort has advanced eight products into clinical trials in the last 10 years, including a plague vaccine. The company, which says it has been prime contractor for the Pentagon’s vaccine effort for 10 years, landed a contract this year that secures all future funding that the department allocates to its vaccine development program, called the Joint Vaccine Acquisition Program.

Though a dollar amount was not set for the award, DynPort officials are confident expect to secure federal Food and Drug Administration approvals within a few years for the vaccine, which is now in phase 2 clinical trials.

DynPort’s awards include a $35 million contract from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in 2005 and a $31.9 million contract from the Department of Health and Human Services in 2006 that was increased to $242 million in 2007.

DynPort, a subsidiary of $16.5 billion Computer Sciences Corp. of Falls Church, Va., primarily develops biodefense products such as botulism, influenza and plague vaccines. It has moved into the public health field in the past five years.