Cangene Corporation has signed a research and development contract with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the United States National Institutes of Health (NIH), to develop a hyperimmune specific for the virus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). NIAID will supply the plasma and funding for the project.

"One component of Cangene's multi-faceted growth strategy is to develop hyperimmunes that address emerging medical and biodefence concerns," said Dr. John Langstaff, president and chief executive officer of Cangene. "Our increasing collaboration with important government health organizations internationally represents a strong endorsement of Cangene's expertise, and provides the Company with a substantial product development platform from which to address these global health issues."

SARS is a viral respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus. It was first reported in Asia during February 2003, and rapidly spread to more than two-dozen countries in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. The World Health Organization reports 8,098 cases worldwide, including 774 deaths, during the 2003 outbreak. SARS is spread through close person-to-person contact or contact with contaminated surfaces.

The NIH is an agency under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.