CYGNOS BioTech, LLC Awarded United States Department of Defense Contract to Develop Critical Antiviral Drug Amid New and Emerging Viral Disease Threats
Miami, FL – April 21, 2025
CYGNOS Biotech, LLC is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a prestigious contract by the U.S. Department of Defense to develop PVX, a groundbreaking antiviral therapeutic designed to combat emerging viral threats. CYGNOS BioTech, a Florida based company, is a leader in developing antiviral and anticancer treatments for companion animals, has received a Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract from the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense (JPEO-CBRND) at the United States Department of Defense (DOD). This funding will support the advancement of broad-spectrum, host-directed antiviral therapeutic drugs.
The project is a critical component of CYGNOS’ “One Health” strategy that transitions our current veterinary antiviral drug for human use. Leveraging existing approvals of two Investigational New Animal Drug (INAD) assets from the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine will accelerate CYGNOS’ development of our broad-spectrum antiviral drug for approval for human use.
Diseases like Chikungunya, Dengue, Equine Encephalitis, and several other zoonotic viruses, that are transmitted from animals to humans, are becoming an increasing global health threat. Several of these viral diseases have been reported in Florida, South and Central America. Our innovative antiviral drug offers a critical solution. Proven safe and effective in veterinary studies, the newly developed drug demonstrates promising activity against severe infections across multiple types of viruses, including Influenza, Corona, Herpes, Ebola, Nipah, Hanta, and Pox viruses.
This crucial funding promotes our efforts to transition our newly developed drug from veterinary use to human applications, preparing us to rapidly address future viral outbreaks affecting both our military and civilians worldwide. Critical to our mission is partnering closely with government agencies, industry leaders, universities, and non-profits to ensure our drug meets urgent military, public, and global health needs.
Dr. Jay E. Yourist, Founder and President of CYGNOS BioTech, LLC, underscores the company’s groundbreaking science: “Our antiviral technology not only provides immediate therapeutic options across virus types, but also positions us to respond rapidly to future emerging global outbreaks.”
Dr. John A. Bogdan Jr., President of Valaria Technical Consultants, acting as product development and partnering consultant for CYGNOS, emphasizes the significance of our rapidly evolving partnerships: “Collaborations with government agencies, industry, non-profit organizations and leading universities is essential for developing these drugs. This award supports our antiviral drug as a viable option to protect our military and civilians.”
For additional information about CYGNOS’ advancements and antiviral innovations, please contact CYGNOS at [email protected] or visit www.cygnosbiotech.com.
Reference to the Department of Defense, Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense, or other agency of the United States does not constitute or imply an endorsement or recommendation by the United States government or any agency thereof.