Advanced BioScience Laboratories (ABL), a global CDMO for biotherapies, oncolytics and viral vector vaccines, has been awarded a contract for ‘Resources to Advance Pediatrics and HIV Prevention Science (RAPPS)’ by the Division of AIDS (DAIDS) within the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The seven-year contract has a total potential funding value of $98.9 million. ABL will provide DAIDS with preclinical gap-filling, animal models, bioanalytical services, product manufacturing and other scientific and quality/regulatory services to support preclinical research and development of pediatric formulations and next generation non-vaccine Biomedical HIV Prevention products (nBPs). These include intraVaginal Rings (IVRs), long-acting injectables and Multipurpose Prevention Technologies (MPTs) composed of a combination of drugs that can target prevention of pregnancy, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and/or HIV.

“This contract is the next step in ABL’s historic relationship with DAIDS – in which ABL provides the preclinical services required to advance the development of biomedical prevention concepts toward the clinical phase,” said Peter Silvera, principal investigator, innovation, and translation at ABL, Inc. “We look forward to continuing to serve as the collaborative bridge between DAIDS and the most innovative investigators in the field, supporting its mission to prevent, treat and cure HIV, particularly in the underserved pediatric population.”