Story highlights ZMapp has been granted fast track approval by the FDA

The experimental drug was given to the first American treated in the U.S. for Ebola

(CNN) ZMapp, an experimental drug that was given to the first American treated in the United States for Ebola, has been granted fast track approval by the FDA, according to LeafBio. LeafBio is the commercial arm of Mapp Biopharmaceutical, the makers of the drug.

A press release posted on the company website proclaimed this as an "important milestone" which brings them closer to eventually gaining FDA approval.

"We are gratified to receive this designation for ZMapp," said Dr. Kevin Whaley, CEO of LeafBio and Mapp. "We are hopeful that this step will accelerate access to ZMapp once safety and efficacy are demonstrated to FDA's satisfaction in ongoing clinical trials."

This is a change from the previous status as an orphan drug, which provided incentive for development of the drug financially and otherwise.

Dr. Kent Brantly was the first human to receive the drug after becoming ill with the virus that has infected 28,256 people and killed 11,306 since March 2014.

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