SIGA Comments On U.S. Government Survey On Smallpox Antiviral Acquisition

NEW YORK, Nov. 18, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SIGA Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:SIGA), a company specializing in the development of pharmaceutical agents to combat bio-warfare pathogens, noted today that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority ("BARDA") has announced a market survey to determine whether there is sufficient capacity among qualified small businesses to supply smallpox antiviral using the small business set-aside mechanism.

"The U.S. Government's announcement reaffirms its commitment to acquire a smallpox antiviral for the protection of the U.S. population against the 'material threat' of a possible bioterrorism smallpox attack," stated Dr. Eric A. Rose, SIGA's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

Dr. Rose continued, "We believe that the market survey will demonstrate that a smallpox antiviral acquisition should not proceed as a small business set-aside. SIGA also believes that it best satisfies all of the criteria of the market survey but for the recent Small Business Administration ruling that we intend to appeal.  If the current BARDA process confirms that SIGA is the only supplier that can meet the requirements for this biodefense countermeasure, and the only supplier capable of delivering the requested 1,700,000 courses of therapy in a timely manner, then BARDA may abandon the small business set-aside and adopt a different contracting mechanism. SIGA stands ready to meet the needs of the Strategic National Stockpile."

About SIGA Technologies, Inc.

SIGA Technologies is applying viral and bacterial genomics and sophisticated computational modeling in the design and development of novel products for the prevention and treatment of serious infectious diseases, with an emphasis on products for biological warfare defense. SIGA believes that it is a leader in the development of pharmaceutical agents to fight potential bio-warfare pathogens. SIGA has antiviral programs targeting smallpox and other Category A pathogens, including arenaviruses (Lassa fever, Junin, Machupo, Guanarito, Sabia, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis), dengue virus, and the filoviruses (Ebola and Marburg). For more information about SIGA, please visit SIGA's web site at http://www.siga.com/ .

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