Posts Tagged United States Department of Health and Human Services
Emergent BioSolutions Starts Phase I Clinical Trial for Third Generation Anthrax Vaccine
Posted by admin in Anthrax vaccines, Biothrax, Chief executive officer, El-Hibri, Emergent BioSolutions, Food and Drug Administration, fuad on January 5th, 2011
ROCKVILLE, Md., Dec 27, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE:EBS) today announced the initiation of a Phase I clinical trial for NuThraxTM (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed with CPG 7909 Adjuvant), also known as AV7909, with the dosing of the first subject. The product candidate, a third generation vaccine being developed as part of Emergent’s anthrax franchise, consists of BioThrax(R) (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed) in combination with a novel immunostimulatory compound, CPG 7909.
“Emergent is pleased to commence this clinical trial in support of the U.S. government’s multiple product strategy to strengthen the nation’s biodefense capabilities,” said Daniel J. Abdun-Nabi, president and chief operating officer of Emergent BioSolutions. “We believe this third generation anthrax vaccine has the potential to exhibit advanced characteristics such as requiring fewer doses, generating an enhanced immune response, and having a favorable shelf life. If successful, this could be an attractive candidate for the government’s growing arsenal of medical countermeasures.”
The Phase I clinical trial, a parallel arm dose-ranging study, is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of the vaccine candidate. The study is being conducted in multiple sites within the U.S. and involves 105 healthy volunteers. Preliminary data from this study is expected to be available in the third quarter of 2011.
This Phase I trial is being conducted with support from a development contract that is jointly administered under contract number HHSN272200800051C by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Office of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
About Emergent BioSolutions Inc.
Emergent BioSolutions Inc., led by Chairman and CEO Fuad El-Hibri, is a global 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 and investigational products target infectious diseases, oncology, and autoimmune disorders. Additional information about the company 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 the success of our ongoing and planned preclinical studies and clinical trials; our plans to pursue label expansions and improvements for BioThrax(R); the rate and degree of market acceptance and clinical utility of our products; the success of our ongoing and planned development programs; the timing of and our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approvals for our other product candidates; our commercialization, marketing and manufacturing capabilities and strategy; 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 September 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.
SOURCE: Emergent BioSolutions Inc.
Emergent BioSolutions Hosts Biopreparedness Roundtable for NATO Parliamentarians
Posted by admin in Chief executive officer, Emergent BioSolutions, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, United States Department of Health and Human Services, fuad el-hibri on July 13th, 2010
ROCKVILLE, Md., Jul 12, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) –
Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE:EBS) is hosting “Bioterrorism Prevention, Preparedness and Response,” a forum organized for members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Parliamentary Assembly (PA) to raise global awareness of the importance of biopreparedness. The visiting delegation is composed of parliamentarians from Canada, Estonia, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Italy, Hungary, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Poland, Portugal, Turkey, Sweden, Slovenia, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
“Emergent commends NATO parliamentarians for advancing the international dialogue on biopreparedness,” said Allen Shofe, senior vice president public affairs, Emergent BioSolutions. “We are pleased to share our knowledge based on Emergent’s extensive experience in the development, manufacture, and delivery of medical countermeasures that are critical to the U.S. government’s biodefense infrastructure.”
The forum features biodefense expert Dr. Robert Kadlec, Director of PRTM Biodefense and Public Health Practice, who will discuss the United States’ approach to bioterrorism prevention, including best practices and strategies such as funding, development, and manufacture of biodefense medical countermeasures, creation of strategic stockpiles, and cooperation within the international community.
Emergent BioSolutions’ senior management team, headed by Daniel J. Abdun-Nabi, President and Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Tevi Troy, Senior Visiting Fellow at the Hudson Institute and former Deputy Director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and Dr. Barry Kellman, President of the International Security and Biopolicy Institute (ISBI) are among the attendees. The forum is taking place in Washington, D.C.
About Emergent BioSolutions Inc.
Emergent BioSolutions Inc., led by Chairman and CEO Fuad El-Hibri, 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(R) (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.
About the NATO Parliamentary Assembly
The NATO Parliamentary Assembly is the inter-parliamentary organization of legislators from the member countries of the North Atlantic Alliance as well as 14 associate members. The Assembly provides a critical forum for international parliamentary dialogue on an array of security, political and economic matters. For more information, visit www.nato-pa.int.
Bad News Clouds Two Bio Defense Stocks
Posted by admin in Biothrax, Chief executive officer, Emergent BioSolutions, Profile, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, fuad el-hibri on December 16th, 2009
Written by Staff and Wire Reports
Tuesday, 08 December 2009 01:28
Key news developments will affect shares of these two companies who help meet the critical needs of the United States and its allies by developing and commercializing medical countermeasures against biological and chemical weapons.
The two companies which waited until late after hours on Monday to announce that the Biomedical Research and Development Authority had informed them of some negative news.
After hours on Monday, PharmAthene, Inc. (NYSE Amex: PIP) a biodefense company specializing in the development and commercialization of medical countermeasures against chemical and biological threats, announced that the Department of Health and Human Services Biomedical Research and Development Authority (BARDA) has canceled its request for proposal (RFP) for Recombinant Protective Antigen Anthrax Vaccine for the Strategic National Stockpile (RFP BARDA 08-15).
PharmAthene was informed of BARDA’s decision during a meeting late Monday afternoon with BARDA representatives. BARDA issued a press release after the close of the securities markets announcing that it will cancel RFP BARDA 08-15 because it did not believe vaccine developers submitting proposals in response to the request for proposal (RFP) could have product ready for FDA licensure within 8 years.
In similar news…
Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE:EBS) announced today that it has been advised by the Office of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) that the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the procurement of rPA vaccines has been cancelled in favor of a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for rPA vaccine development. According to BARDA officials, BARDA took this action after a technical evaluation panel determined that none of the vaccine developers submitting proposals could meet the Project BioShield statutory requirement of having a product ready for licensure within 8 years.
Simultaneously, BARDA issued an amendment to BAA 09-34 to enable companies to submit proposals to obtain development funding for rPA vaccine candidates. The due date for all proposals is February 1, 2010. During a meeting with company officials today, BARDA strongly encouraged Emergent to submit a proposal to this BAA. Emergent intends to submit its proposal by the end of this year.
While the decision by BARDA has no impact on the company’s $400 million procurement contract with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the manufacture and delivery of 14.5 million doses of BioThrax® into the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS). Investors are still likely to react negatively to the news.
After selling dies down, there may be a bounce trade opportunity for EBS followers since the company feels that “BioThrax remains a critical and long-term countermeasure for the US government,” said Fuad El-Hibri, chairman and chief executive officer of Emergent BioSolutions. “In addition, based upon encouragement by the USG, we believe our rPA vaccine is well-positioned to obtain a development contract under this BAA. Our anthrax franchise solidifies Emergent as a leader in the development and supply of anthrax medical countermeasures.”
Source :: http://biomedreports.com/articles/most-popular/20870-bad-news-clouds-move-in-on-these-stocks.html
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EMERGENT BIOSOLUTIONS SIGNS $448 MILLION THREE YEAR CONTRACT WITH DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Posted by admin in Uncategorized on July 14th, 2009
ROCKVILLE, MD, September 26, 2007—Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE: EBS), announced today that it has signed a three year contract with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), with a total value of up to $448 million. Components of the contract include:
(i) $400 million firm fixed-price for delivery of 18.75 million doses of BioThrax® (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed) for inclusion in the strategic national stockpile (SNS);
(ii) $34 million for receipt of regulatory approval of 4-year expiry dating for BioThrax payable through a combination of a lump-sum payment reflecting a price per dose increase for certain doses delivered prior to approval and an increase in the per dose price to be paid for doses delivered following approval;
(iii) up to $11.5 million in milestone payments in connection with advancement towards a post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) indication for BioThrax; and,
(iv) $2.2 million for logistics services and other related support.
The Company anticipates making deliveries for approximately 6 million doses under this contract by year-end 2007. As a result, the company reaffirms its expectation for full year total revenue growth of 10 to 15 percent, with a bias toward the upper end of the range, and full year positive net earnings.
Fuad El-Hibri, chairman and chief executive officer of Emergent BioSolutions, stated, “We are honored to continue our longstanding relationship with HHS to provide BioThrax as a critical component of our nation’s biodefense stockpile. I applaud the dedication and professionalism of the senior leadership within HHS and Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority in completing this important step towards enhancing our domestic biodefense infrastructure. Emergent BioSolutions remains dedicated to working with various government agencies in their commitment to procure medical countermeasures as a primary element of establishing the highest possible levels of biopreparedness.”
Under terms of the contract, HHS will purchase from the company an aggregate of 18.75 million doses of BioThrax through September 2010, for a firm, fixed-price of $400 million. In the event the company receives U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of the company’s pending supplement to its biologics license application (BLA) to extend the shelf life of BioThrax from three years to four years, the company will receive a lump sum payment reflecting a price per dose increase for certain doses delivered prior to approval and an increase in the price per dose to be paid for doses delivered following the date of approval, with a total value of approximately $34 million. If FDA approval of 4-year expiry dating is not received during the term of the contract, the company will not be entitled to receive any of the $34 million. The company submitted its supplement for 4-year expiry dating to the FDA in December 2006 and has been providing additional information to the agency in support of its application.
Under the contract, HHS will also provide up to $11.5 million in connection with advancing the company’s program to obtain a PEP indication for BioThrax. The PEP indication, which would expand the use of BioThrax beyond the current pre-exposure prophylaxis indication, is designed to permit the administration of BioThrax in combination with antibiotics following exposure to anthrax. These funds are payable upon the company’s achievement of specific program milestones. The company anticipates that it will receive $8.8 million of this amount in the fourth quarter of 2007.
In addition, under the contract the company has agreed to provide all shipping services related to delivery of doses into the SNS over the contract term, and will receive payment of an additional $2.2 million.
The contract has been funded with Federal funding through the Project BioShield Special Reserve Fund, which was created by an act of Congress in May 2004.
Previously, Emergent BioSolutions has provided 10 million doses of BioThrax to HHS for inclusion in the SNS under a May 2005 supply agreement for 5 million doses valued at $123 million and a May 2006 contract modification for an additional 5 million doses valued at $120 million.
Conference Call & Webcast
Company management will host a conference call at 9:00 am Eastern today, September 26, 2007 to discuss this announcement. Interested parties may participate in the live teleconference by dialing 866/383-8008 or 617/597-5341 or via a webcast accessible at www.emergentbiosolutions.com, under “Investors”. A replay of the teleconference will be available on the company website or by dialing 888/286-8010 or 617/801-6888 and using the passcode 61817264, approximately one hour after the teleconference concludes. The replay will be available through October 10, 2007.
About BioThrax® (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed)
BioThrax is the only FDA-approved vaccine for the prevention of anthrax infection. It is approved by the FDA as a pre-exposure prophylaxis for use in adults who are at high risk of exposure to anthrax spores. BioThrax is manufactured from a culture filtrate, made from a non-virulent strain of Baccillus anthracis and contains no dead or live bacteria. BioThrax is administered by subcutaneous injection in three initial doses followed by three additional doses, with an annual booster dose recommended thereafter. Since 1998, approximately 20 million doses of BioThrax have been procured by the U.S. government. During that time period, over 6.5 million doses have been administered to over 1.6 million military personnel. BioThrax cannot cause anthrax infection.
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 performance under our contract with HHS and future payments from HHS to us under the contract, 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 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 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2007 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 RECEIVES DEVELOPMENT CONTRACT FROM NIAID/BARDA TO FUND CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT OF ANTHRAX THERAPEUTIC
Posted by admin in Uncategorized on July 14th, 2009
ROCKVILLE, MD., September 27, 2007—Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE: EBS) announced today that it has received a development contract, valued at up to $9.5 million, in support of non-clinical and clinical studies of the company’s anthrax therapeutic, or AIG, product candidate. This product candidate is an immune globulin being developed as an intravenous therapeutic for treatment of patients who present with symptoms of anthrax disease following exposure to anthrax.
This development contract has been funded in whole or in part from Federal funds from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), under Contract No. HHSN272200700034C.
Fuad El-Hibri, chairman and chief executive officer of Emergent BioSolutions, stated, “We are very pleased to have continuing support for AIG from NIAID and BARDA and commend the leadership throughout HHS for their commitment to funding the development of effective medical countermeasures against this deadly biological agent. With the continued development funding of our AIG candidate, in conjunction with the $448 million contract with HHS announced yesterday regarding procurement of 18.75 million doses of our BioThrax anthrax vaccine for the strategic national stockpile, we are very encouraged by the government’s support of our anthrax franchise. We look forward to continuing to be a leading participant in the U.S. government’s effort to build a robust domestic biodefense industry.”
Under terms of the development award, the funds will be used to conduct various studies on AIG, including (i) non-clinical studies in support of efficacy; and (ii) a Phase I/II clinical study to evaluate pharmacokinetics and safety. Previously, in August 2006 the company received $3.9 million from NIAID in support of the company’s AIG program. When combined with the $9.5 million under this new development award, the total amount of government funding for AIG to date is over $13 million.
About Anthrax Immune Globulin (AIG)
Emergent BioSolutions’ anthrax immune globulin (AIG) is being developed as an intravenous therapeutic for treatment of patients who present with symptoms of anthrax disease resulting from the release of anthrax toxins into the body and for whom the use of the vaccine is no longer an effective option. If successfully developed, AIG could be prescribed for administration in these circumstances either as a monotherapy or in conjunction with an antibiotic.
AIG is being developed using plasma collected from healthy donors who have been vaccinated with BioThrax® (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed), Emergent BioSolutions’ anthrax vaccine, which is the only vaccine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the prevention of anthrax infection.
The company has collected a sufficient amount of plasma to initiate manufacturing of AIG under cGMP using a validated and approved process. This manufacturing process entails fractionating the plasma and purifying the immune globulin. The company has signed an exclusive license with Talecris Biotherapeutics, Inc., a North Carolina-based biopharmaceutical company and leading fractionation provider, to fractionate, purify and fill AIG at Talecris’ FDA-approved facilities. To date, the first full-scale lot of AIG has been manufactured under cGMP requirements at Talecris. The company has scheduled plans to complete a second full-scale lot of AIG.
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 performance under our contract with HHS and future payments from HHS to us under the contract, 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 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 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2007 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 Acquires Advanced Recombinant Protective Antigen Anthrax Vaccine Candidate And Technology
Posted by admin in Uncategorized on July 11th, 2009
Acquisition positions Emergent to offer the U.S. Government a domestic source for an advanced anthrax vaccine candidate to meet planned procurement of 25 million doses of rPA vaccine
Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE: EBS) announced today that it has completed the acquisition of all assets and rights related to a recombinant protective antigen (rPA) anthrax vaccine product candidate and related technology from VaxGen, Inc. Recent improvements to the rPA vaccine, specifically related to stability, suggests that it is well positioned to be a leading candidate for an award under a request for proposal (RFP) recently issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The vaccine candidate has completed one Phase 2 clinical study. This RFP is designed to meet the government’s stated goal to procure 25 million doses of an rPA anthrax vaccine for the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS). HHS has indicated that any awards under this RFP are scheduled to be granted in late 2008.
The acquisition of this rPA vaccine candidate, and the pending RFP, have no effect on Emergent’s $448 million contract with HHS for the delivery of 18.75 million doses of BioThrax® (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed), the only FDA approved vaccine for the prevention of anthrax disease, into the SNS. Emergent continues to manufacture and deliver doses of BioThrax in accordance with this multi-year agreement.
The company intends to manufacture this new rPA anthrax vaccine, as well as BioThrax, in its recently constructed, large-scale manufacturing facility at its Lansing campus. The acquisition of the rPA vaccine candidate further solidifies Emergent’s well established franchise of anthrax countermeasures, which now includes:
BioThrax®, the only FDA-approved vaccine to prevent the infection of anthrax. Nearly 2.0 million men and women of the United States military have received the vaccine, and HHS has procured more than 28 million doses of BioThrax for the SNS;
rPA 102, a recombinant anthrax vaccine candidate, which is composed of a purified protein with an alum adjuvant and is designed to induce antibodies that neutralize anthrax toxins;
AVP-21D9, a human monoclonal antibody product candidate being developed as an intravenous treatment for patients who present symptoms of anthrax disease; and
AIG, a polyclonal anthrax immune globulin product candidate, which is derived from human plasma from individuals who have been vaccinated with BioThrax.
“As the manufacturer of the only FDA approved anthrax vaccine, Emergent BioSolutions has a proven track record of delivering critical biodefense countermeasures to the U.S. Government. Given HHS’s stated commitment to procure up to an additional 25 million doses of a recombinant anthrax vaccine for the Strategic National Stockpile, we felt this was the right opportunity for our company at the right time,” said Fuad El-Hibri, chairman and chief executive officer of Emergent BioSolutions. “Additionally, we are pleased to provide the U.S. Government with the important option to select an advanced rPA anthrax vaccine candidate from a domestic manufacturer. As the premiere domestic biodefense supplier, this was a natural fit for us,” he continued.
Data reviewed to date relating to the rPA vaccine candidate suggests that the steps taken to address a prior stability issue affecting the vaccine position the product for continued development toward regulatory approval and to be a leading candidate for the HHS procurement contract of 25 million doses under the recently issued RFP.
Under the terms of the asset acquisition, Emergent BioSolutions paid VaxGen $2 million upon execution of the definitive agreement and may be obligated to pay up to an additional $8 million in milestone payments, plus specified percentages of future net sales.
About rPA 102
The vaccine candidate, rPA 102, is based on a recombinant form of the protective antigen protein. This vaccine contains a purified protein (rPA) formulated with an alum adjuvant and is designed to induce antibodies that neutralize anthrax toxins. The vaccine candidate does not cause anthrax infection and is based on the pioneering work of the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID). rPA 102 has been the subject of two research and development grants totaling approximately $100 million from the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). In 2004, HHS awarded VaxGen an $877 million contract for delivery of 75 million doses of rPA 102. The contract was subsequently terminated by HHS, based on its determination that VaxGen failed to successfully cure the condition endangering performance and failed to meet a milestone imposed by HHS that required VaxGen to initiate a clinical trial of the vaccine candidate by December 18, 2006. This failure was primarily related to stability issues with the vaccine.
About USAMRIID
USAMRIID, located at Fort Detrick, Maryland, is the lead medical research laboratory for the DoD Biological Defense Research Program, and plays a key role in national defense and in infectious disease research. The Institute conducts basic and applied research on biological threats resulting in medical solutions (such as vaccines, drugs and diagnostics) to protect the warfighter. While USAMRIID’s primary mission is focused on the military, its research often has applications that benefit society as a whole. USAMRIID is a subordinate laboratory of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command. For more information, visit www.usamriid.army.mil
About Emergent BioSolutions Inc.
Emergent BioSolutions Inc. is a profitable, multinational 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 products target infectious diseases and other medical conditions that have resulted in significant unmet or underserved public health needs. Our marketed product, BioThrax(R) (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed), is the only vaccine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the prevention of anthrax infection. 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 2008, 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 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, 2007 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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