Media Availability: NIH-Funded Research Leads to Approval of Drug for Acute Radiation Injury

Media Availability: NIH-Funded Research Leads to Approval of Drug for Acute Radiation Injury

NIAID-Funded Research Leads to Approval of Drug for Radiation Injury

Based on NIAID-funded studies in an animal model of radiation exposure, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved use of the blood-boosting drug filgrastim to treat people acutely exposed to high doses of radiation that damage the bone marrow. The approval will improve access to filgrastim in the event of a public health emergency related to radiation exposure, such as a nuclear power plant accident or terrorist attack.