Posts Tagged U.S. government

Emergent BioSolutions Awarded HHS Contract Valued at up to $186.6 Million to Develop rPA Anthrax Vaccine

ROCKVILLE, MD, September 17, 2010 – Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE:EBS) announced today that it has signed a contract, valued at up to $186.6 million, with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), for the development of a recombinant protective antigen (rPA) anthrax vaccine.  This five year cost plus fixed fee development contract consists of a two-year base period of performance valued at approximately $51 million, three successive one-year option periods valued at approximately $126 million and funding for optional non-clinical studies valued at approximately $9 million.

“We applaud the U.S. Government’s commitment to the biodefense industry and to the development of additional medical countermeasures using multiple technologies and additional sites to address the acknowledged anthrax threat,” said Fuad El-Hibri, chairman and chief executive officer of Emergent BioSolutions.  “This award solidifies Emergent’s anthrax franchise and reaffirms our position as a leading supplier to, and developer for, the U.S. government of anthrax biomedical countermeasures. We are enthusiastic about the role we serve in addressing this need and in creating jobs and expanding economies within the local communities where we operate.”

Under the contract, the base value will fund activities related to process characterization and assay validation, as well as formulation and stability studies.  Milestone-based options include completion of a Phase II clinical study and non-clinical efficacy studies, process validation, as well as consistency lot manufacture. Emergent has developed this comprehensive plan as a foundation to advance its rPA anthrax vaccine candidate in preparation for pivotal studies that would potentially lead to licensure application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The company anticipates recognizing revenues from this award in the fourth quarter of 2010 of approximately $2 million with no major impact on pretax earnings.

Emergent’s rPA anthrax vaccine candidate is a purified recombinant protective antigen protein formulated with an alum adjuvant and is designed to induce antibodies that neutralize anthrax toxins.  It is based on the pioneering work of the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) and has been the subject of two research and development grants totaling approximately $100 million by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).

About Emergent BioSolutions Inc.

Emergent BioSolutions Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development, manufacture and commercialization of vaccines and antibody therapies that assist the body’s immune system to prevent or treat disease.  Emergent’s marketed product, BioThrax® (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed), is the only vaccine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the prevention of anthrax infection.  Emergent’s product pipeline targets infectious diseases and includes programs focused on anthrax, tuberculosis, typhoid, flu and chlamydia.  Additional information may be found at www.emergentbiosolutions.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements, other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding our strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenues, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management, including any potential future securities offering, our expected revenue growth and net earnings for 2010, and any other statements containing the words “believes”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “plans”, “estimates” and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause the company’s actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including our ability to win a procurement contract with the U.S. government for our recombinant protective antigen anthrax vaccine candidate; our plans to expand our manufacturing facilities and capabilities; the rate and degree of market acceptance and clinical utility of our products; the success of our ongoing and planned development programs, preclinical studies and clinical trials; the timing of and our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approvals for our product candidates; our estimates regarding expenses, future revenue, capital requirements and needs for additional financing; and other factors identified in the company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 and subsequent reports filed with the SEC. The company disclaims any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this press release.

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EMERGENT BIOSOLUTIONS ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND APPOINTMENT OF DR. SUE BAILEY TO THE COMPANY’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ROCKVILLE, MD, June 15, 2007—Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE: EBS), a biopharmaceutical company, announced today that at a regularly scheduled meeting of its board of directors the board passed a resolution authorizing the expansion of the total number of members of the board to eight.  The board also unanimously appointed Sue Bailey, M.D., as a Class III director, for a two-year term that will expire at the 2009 annual meeting of stockholders.

“I am delighted to welcome Dr. Bailey to the Emergent BioSolutions Board of Directors.  Her extensive experience in managing complex organizations and healthcare-related issues for both the federal government and private corporations and her expertise in media relations will contribute greatly to our ability to meet our nation’s need for bioterrorism countermeasures and to create shareholder value,” said Fuad El-Hibri, Emergent BioSolutions’ chairman and chief executive officer.

Dr. Bailey served as a news analyst for NBC Universal from 2001 to 2006, focused on national security, bioterrorism, environmental safety and public health issues.  Dr. Bailey also served as Administrator for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration from 2000 to 2001, as Assistant Secretary Of Defense (Health Affairs) from 1998 to 2000, and as Deputy Assistant Secretary Of Defense (Clinical Services) from 1994 to 1995.  During her tenure with DoD Health Affairs, Dr. Bailey headed the $17 billion military medical system, with responsibility for protecting American military forces from combat causalities, disease, environmental hazards, and biochemical warfare.

“Protecting America’s military men and women against acts of bioterrorism and safeguarding citizens against infectious diseases has been the focus of my career,” said Dr. Bailey.  “I am pleased to be joining the Board of Emergent BioSolutions where I can help guide the company’s development of medical countermeasures that can protect the lives of those most at risk.”

Dr. Bailey is a board certified physician whose clinical and academic background included a faculty position at Georgetown University Medical School.  In addition, she was formerly a Navy officer, having achieved the rank of Lt. Commander, U.S. Navy Reserve.  Dr. Bailey also serves as an advisor or member of the board of directors for a variety of industry, academic and trade healthcare and safety-oriented organizations.

Dr. Bailey holds a degree from the University of Maryland and her medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.  She completed her internship and residency at George Washington University and completed a medical post-graduate fellowship at Johns Hopkins University.

About Emergent BioSolutions Inc.

Emergent BioSolutions Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to one simple mission—to protect life.  We develop, manufacture and commercialize immunobiotics, consisting of vaccines and therapeutics that assist the body’s immune system to prevent or treat disease.  Our biodefense business focuses on immunobiotics for use against biological agents that are potential weapons of bioterrorism and biowarfare.  Our marketed product, BioThrax® (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed), is the only vaccine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the prevention of anthrax infection.  Our commercial business focuses on immunobiotics for use against infectious diseases and other medical conditions that have resulted in significant unmet or underserved public health needs.  More information on the company is available at www.emergentbiosolutions.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Any statements, other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding our strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenues, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management, including our expected revenue growth and net earnings for 2007, and any other statements containing the words “believes”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “plans”, “estimates” and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements.  There are a number of important factors that could cause the company’s actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including our performance under BioThrax® sales contracts with the U.S. government, including the timing of deliveries under these contracts; our ability to obtain new BioThrax sales contracts with the U.S. government; our plans for future sales of BioThrax; our plans to pursue label expansions and improvements for BioThrax; our plans to expand our manufacturing facilities and capabilities; the rate and degree of market acceptance and clinical utility of our products; our ongoing and planned development programs, preclinical studies and clinical trials; our ability to identify and acquire or in license products and product candidates that satisfy our selection criteria; the potential benefits of our existing collaboration agreements and our ability to enter into selective additional collaboration arrangements; the timing of and our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approvals for our product candidates; our commercialization, marketing and manufacturing capabilities and strategy; our intellectual property portfolio; our estimates regarding expenses, future revenue, capital requirements and needs for additional financing; and other factors identified in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 and subsequent reports filed with the SEC.  The company disclaims any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this press release.

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