( CNN ) -- An experimental Ebola drug that 's still in development may now be used to treat more people with the disease , according to Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation . The drug company said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized expanded use of TKM-Ebola under its Investigational New Drug application rule . Expanded access allows patients outside of a clinical trial to be treated with an investigational drug if they have a life-threatening disease and have exhausted any other approved treatment options . The FDA allows this kind of access on a case-by-case basis . `` We have worked with the FDA and Health Canada to establish this framework and a treatment protocol allowing us to do what we can to help these patients , '' Dr. Mark J. Murray , Tekmira 's president and CEO , said in a statement . In January , a small human trial of TKM-Ebola was put on hold after one volunteer developed moderate gastrointestinal side effects after receiving a high dose of the medication . Then last month , the FDA modified the hold to a `` partial clinical hold . '' This meant that Tekmira could give the drug to doctors or hospitals that requested it on an emergency basis . According to Murray , the treatment has already been given to a number of patients and `` repeat infusions '' of the drug have been well tolerated . Though more Ebola patients may now be given the drug , he warns that they will not be enrolled in a controlled clinical trial . FDA spokesperson Stephanie Yao said federal law and FDA regulations prevent the agency from disclosing information about products under development because it 's considered confidential . `` While the FDA can not comment on the development of specific medical products , '' Yao said , `` it 's important to note that every FDA regulatory decision is based on a risk-benefit assessment of scientific data that includes the context of use for the product and the patient population being studied . '' According to the company , the FDA granted Tekmira fast track status to develop TKM-Ebola back in March . Murray said their supply is limited , `` but we will continue to help where we can . '' CNN 's Caleb Hellerman contributed to this story .
Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation says FDA will allow expanded use of TKM-Ebola . Patients can be treated with experimental drug if all other treatment options exhausted . TKM-Ebola has already been given to a number of patients .