Drug developer Hollis-Eden Pharmaceuticals Inc. said it could get a government contract to make a drug for radiation sickness by the end of January.

The company said late Thursday it is in the lead in a bid for a Department of Health and Human Services contract to make its Neumune drug part of the national stockpile for the treatment of acute radiation syndrome.

The HHS said Hollis-Eden "is within the competitive range for discussion and further evaluation" for the contract. Hollis-Eden said it is not aware of another competitor within range of getting the contract.

The agency set a tentative award date of Jan. 31.