SIGA - FDA looking at strategies to maximize monkeypox vaccine doses expand antiviral access

The U.S. FDA is examining way to maximize limited supplies of the only approved monkeypox vaccine as well as boost access to an antiviral medicine that could see wider use for the virus, according to FDA Commissioner Robert Califf.

His comments came at at Thursday afternoon news conference where monkeypox was declared a national public health emergency .

Califf said that maximizing doses of Bavarian Nordic's ( OTCPK:BVNKF ) ( OTCPK:BVNRY ) Jynneos vaccine would involve injecting a smaller dose of the shot between skin layers as opposed to under the fat layer of the skin, Bloomberg reported. This strategy was used during previous shortages of the flu vaccine.

He added that the agency will work with SIGA Technologies ( NASDAQ: SIGA ) to conduct a clinical trial of its Tpoxx (tecovirimat), which is approved for smallpox. It is available for monkeypox under the FDA's Expanded Access program, which is a cumbersome process involving paperwork and restrictions.

"Our goal is to make it available without excess bureaucracy and paperwork," Califf said. "But it's critical that we collect data because we don't know about the risk of the drug."

Several public health officials recently called for randomized controlled trials of Tpoxx in humans to determine its efficacy and safety for monkeypox .

SIGA reported its Q2 financial results after the closing bell Thursday .

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