Emergent Signs Contract with CDC for Anthrax Vaccine

On Dec. 8, 2016, Emergent Biosolutions signed a follow-on contract with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) under Solicitation No. 2016-N-17905, valued at up to $911 million to supply approximately 29.4 million doses of BioThrax (anthrax vaccine adsorbed) to the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) through September 2021. BioThrax is the only anthrax vaccine licensed by FDA and is indicated for both pre-exposure prophylaxis and post-exposure prophylaxis of anthrax disease.

The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), a division within the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Preparedness and Response at the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), issued a notice of intent to procure approximately $100 million of BioThrax for delivery into the SNS within 24 months from the date of contract award, which the company anticipates will be in the first half of 2017. This contract will be separate from and in addition to the follow-on procurement contract with CDC.

On Sept. 30, 2016, BARDA awarded Emergent a contract valued at up to $1.6 billion for the development and procurement of NuThrax (anthrax vaccine adsorbed with CPG 7909 adjuvant), the company’s next generation anthrax vaccine candidate. The initial procurement of NuThrax for inclusion in the SNS could be initiated in 2019 following Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) pre-approval by FDA, which based on the current plan is anticipated at the end of 2018. The contract also includes procurement options for the delivery of an additional 7.5 million to 50 million doses of NuThrax to the SNS. The company anticipates amending this contract simultaneously with the execution of the BARDA BioThrax procurement contract, which will result in a revised total contract value of up to $1.5 billion.

Source: Emergent Biosolutions