Raxibacumab is a human monoclonal antibody drug that HGS discovered and developed for the treatment of inhalation anthrax. Raxibacumab represents a new way to address the anthrax threat. While antibiotics can kill the anthrax bacteria, they are not effective against the deadly toxins that the bacteria produce. Raxibacumab is a first-in-class treatment that targets anthrax toxins after they are released by the bacteria into the blood and tissues. In an inhalation anthrax attack, people may not know they are infected with anthrax until the toxins already are circulating in their blood, and it may be too late for antibiotics alone to be effective. In April 2009, HGS completed the delivery of 20,000 doses of raxibacumab to the U.S. Strategic National Stockpile. In July 2009, HGS received a second order for 45.000 doses of raxibacumab from the U.S. Government, to be delivered over a period of three years, beginning near the end of 2009.

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