The US Department of Health and Human Services has entered into a contract with Novan to advance the development of a nitric oxide-based therapy as a topical treatment for thermal burns. The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), an agency within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, awarded Novan with this contract and will provide funding of $7.8 million over two years to support the pharmaceutical development of the nitric oxide advanced healing (NOAH) technology including formulation work, nonclinical toxicology, and proof of concept studies in models of deep partial thickness and full thickness thermal injuries.

It is widely believed a mass casualty event caused by natural or intentional threats to public health could result in tens of thousands of burn patients, which would overwhelm the burn care infrastructure presently available in hospitals across the United States, according to a release from Novan. This project is designed to enable the future clinical investigation of the medical countermeasure.

According Novan, the findings under this contract will complement its existing efforts to develop nitric oxide therapies for combat casualties, multi-drug resistant infections, and chronic wounds outside the scope of this contract.