Seven-year-old Josh Hardy, who was critically ill with a viral infection after a bone marrow transplant, was set to receive an experimental drug after his family’s appeal drew national attention. Chimerix, the drug’s manufacturer, said it had worked with the Food and Drug Administration to arrange a clinical trial in which Josh would be the first patient.

Josh, a first-grader from Fredericksburg, Virginia, had survived several bouts of cancer since being diagnosed with a rare kidney cancer at nine months old. Following his transplant, his weakened immune system left him vulnerable to an adenovirus that spread throughout his body. He was in intensive care at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, suffering from heart and kidney failure.

His family and doctors sought brincidofovir, an antiviral drug that had not yet received FDA approval. Chimerix initially declined to provide it, saying that handling individual requests could slow efforts to bring the drug to market. Although the FDA permits patients with serious or life-threatening illnesses to seek experimental medicines through compassionate use, companies can decline those requests.

The Hardy family’s campaign spread through social media, petitions and national television appearances. A “Save Josh” Facebook page drew more than 15,000 followers, while local businesses and charities also rallied around the family. Chimerix CEO Kenneth Moch said the public response included support for Josh as well as death threats against him and other company employees.

Chimerix ultimately announced an FDA-approved, open-label study intended to provide the drug to 20 patients, beginning with Josh. The FDA also committed to work with the company on a potential later-stage study. Moch said the arrangement could help other patients in need, and Josh’s parents expressed gratitude to him and their supporters.

St. Jude expected to receive the medication within 48 hours but cautioned that its safety and effectiveness in children had not been established. The hospital emphasized that Josh’s condition remained critical and medically complex.