SMT 15000: biodefence
SMT 15000 is a Seglin that is being developed as a biodefence treatment for infectious diseases associated with bio-terrorism. The compound is an immunomodulatory iminosugar with a novel mechanism of action that has demonstrated potent in vivo prophylactic activity against several bacterial and viral pathogens
In January 2009, Summit announced that it has granted a worldwide exclusive license for SMT15000 to the Swiss biotechnology company Evolva Biotech SA (SIX:EVE) for the use of the compound as a countermeasure against both bacterial and viral biowarfare agents including Ebola, anthrax and plague.
Evolva has a strong capability in this area and has attracted significant funding from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency ('DTRA'), a US-federal body developing technologies to counter the threat of biological agents.
