SIGA reports $28M worth of new orders for monkeypox antiviral

The company has seen a sharp uptick in orders for its oral treatment as monkeypox cases rise globally 

TPOXX (tecovirimat) is approved in the European Union and United Kingdom to treat diseases caused by the family of orthopoxvirus that includes smallpox, monkeypox and cowpox. It is only approved to treat smallpox in the United States and Canada. 

SIGA said the new orders include $2 million worth of initial procurement from two countries in Europe and Asia Pacific as well as another $26 million from Canada under existing contracts. The company expects at least $26 million of international deliveries by September 30, including deliveries made in the second quarter. 

The uptick in orders comes at a time when more than 7,600 confirmed cases of monkeypox have been reported from 50 countries where the disease is not endemic. 

Monkeypox is a viral disease that causes flu-like symptoms and skin lesions. It spreads through close contact and many recent cases have been reported in men who have sex with men, though it is not defined as a sexually transmitted infection.  

The strain currently circulating in the Northern Hemisphere has an estimated fatality rate of between 3% and 6% and is considered especially dangerous for children and those with weak immune systems.   

In addition to stocking up on oral medication, many countries have placed orders for Bavarian Nordic’s Imvanex vaccine, which is sold under the brand name Jynneos in the United States.  

The World Health Organisation has so far held off on declaring the monkeypox outbreak a global health emergency, but it will meet next week to re-evaluate whether it warrants this designation. The ‘global emergency’ label currently only applies to the coronavirus pandemic and efforts to eradicate polio.