The San Diego biotech whose Ebola drug was used on at least three patients said Tuesday that no more is available.
Mapp Biopharmaceutical posted a statement on its website saying that the drug has been provided at no cost whenever requested with proper authorization, but the supply of the experimental drug is exhausted.
“The available supply of ZMapp has been exhausted. We have complied with every request for ZMapp that had the necessary legal/regulatory authorization,” the company said in a statement.
“It is the requestors’ decision whether they wish to make public their request, acquisition, or use of the experimental drug. Any decision to use ZMapp must be made by the patients’ medical team. Drug has been provided at no cost in all cases.”
Media reports said two America aid workers and a Spanish priest were among those who received the drug. The Americans are improving, but the Spaniard died.
World health experts are battling to contain an outbreak of the deadly virus in West Africa, where it has killed more than 1,000 people.
Mapp said ZMapp is composed of three “humanized” monoclonal antibodies manufactured in plants, specifically Nicotiana. It is an optimized cocktail combining the best components from Mapp’s MB-003 and ZMab developed in Canada.
The drug is a collaboration of between Mapp, LeafBio in San Diego, Defyrus in Toronto, the U.S. government and the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Mapp said last week the partners are working to increase production of ZMapp. “Mapp and its partners are cooperating with appropriate government agencies to increase production as quickly as possible,” the company said.
