Seven-year-old Josh Hardy, a first-grader from Fredericksburg, Virginia, was set to receive an experimental antiviral drug after his family’s appeal drew national attention. Chimerix, the drug’s manufacturer, reached an agreement with the Food and Drug Administration to start a clinical trial of brincidofovir, with Josh as its first patient.

Josh had survived several bouts of cancer since he was diagnosed with kidney cancer at nine months old. A bone marrow transplant left him without an immune system, and he developed an adenovirus infection in February. He was in critical condition at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, with heart and kidney failure.

Chimerix initially declined the family’s request for the drug through compassionate use, a process that allows seriously ill patients to seek experimental medicines. The company said providing it could slow the drug’s development. Its president and CEO, Kenneth Moch, said Chimerix had received more than 80 requests for compassionate use of brincidofovir over the previous two years.

Josh’s parents and supporters pressed the company to reconsider through national television appearances, social media, petitions, phone calls and emails. A Facebook page supporting Josh attracted 15,000 followers, while local businesses and charities also rallied around the family. Moch said the campaign showed the positive power of social media, but reported that he and company employees had also received death threats.

Chimerix said the open-label pilot study would provide the drug to 20 patients, beginning with Josh, and that the FDA had committed to work with the company on a subsequent Phase 3 study. St. Jude expected to receive the medication within 48 hours and cautioned that its safety and effectiveness in children had not yet been established.

Josh’s parents welcomed the decision and thanked Chimerix and their supporters. Moch said he hoped the study would help Josh and other patients in need.