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Defence officials have signed a $2.9-million deal with a U.S. firm to develop an anti-anthrax inhaler that could be available for civilian as well as military use.



Aradigm Corp. of California will spend the next few years developing and testing a puffer to counter the effects of anthrax and other biological warfare agents. The inhaler, conceived by Defence Department researchers, will contain the powerful antibiotic ciproflaxacin. "The initial target population was military use," said Maj. Don Van Loon, a bio-science officer.


"However, this is a drug product that will have dual-use potential."


That means the new technology could be used to administer other drugs. The anthrax form will be commercially available to the public if there is a demand for it.

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