BUFFALO GROVE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 30, 2005--Akorn, Inc. (AMEX:AKN) today announced that it has received a commercial item award from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the procurement of Ca-DTPA and Zn-DTPA. The acquisition of Ca-DTPA and Zn-DTPA by the United States Government is intended to provide countermeasures to protect the American civilian population in the event of a radiological or nuclear incident. The award quantities represent a combined total of 450,000 units of Ca-DTPA and Zn-DTPA. The value of the contract is approximately $21.5 million, and is subject to final funding approval by the United Stated Government. Akorn will deliver the entire 450,000 units to the United States Government in the first quarter of 2006. Akorn licensed Ca-DTPA and Zn-DTPA from Hameln Pharmaceuticals gmbh in October 2004.
