US signs contract with ZMapp maker to accelerate development of the Ebola drug

The US government has signed a multimillion dollar contract with the maker of the experimental Ebola drug ZMapp to accelerate the drug’s development.

Under the contract the US Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) will provide funding, expertise, and technical support to the drug company, Mapp Biopharmaceutical, of San Diego, California. BARDA is the US agency tasked with developing medical countermeasures—including vaccines, medicines, diagnostics, and medical equipment—to respond to chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear incidents or attacks, as well as pandemics …