GAITHERSBURG, Md., May 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Emergent BioSolutions Inc. today announced that the Department of Health and Human Services has modified its contract and is purchasing an additional five million doses of BioThrax(R), the only FDA-licensed anthrax vaccine, for the nation’s Strategic National Stockpile. BioThrax is manufactured by Emergent BioSolutions’ wholly-owned subsidiary, BioPort Corporation.
This is a modification to the company’s first contract, which was executed in 2005, for the supply of BioThrax. The company completed deliveries of the initial five million doses in February 2006, eight months ahead of schedule. Fulfillment of this procurement will result in a combined total delivery of ten million doses of BioThrax to the Strategic National Stockpile.
“We are proud to play a vital role in the strategic defense of the United States and the protection of its citizens in the event of another anthrax attack,” Fuad El-Hibri, Chairman and CEO, said.
“Moreover, we share the objective of the Administration and key congressional leaders in securing a sufficient stockpile of safe and effective vaccines to protect the American public. We welcome the opportunity to continue to work closely with the Department of Health and Human Services to meet the strategic biodefense requirements of the Government.”
About Emergent BioSolutions
Emergent BioSolutions is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development, manufacture and commercialization of immunobiotics. Immunobiotics are pharmaceutical products, such as vaccines and immune globulins, that induce the body’s immune system to prevent or treat disease. The company operates in two business segments: biodefense and commercial. In its biodefense business, Emergent develops and commercializes immunobiotics for use against biological agents that are potential weapons of mass destruction or bioterrorism. In its commercial business, Emergent develops immunobiotics for use against infectious diseases with significant unmet or underserved medical needs. Its marketed product, BioThrax, is the only vaccine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, for the prevention of anthrax infection. In addition to BioThrax, the company’s biodefense product development portfolio consists of three biodefense product candidates in preclinical development. Its commercial product development portfolio consists of a typhoid vaccine candidate and a hepatitis B vaccine candidate in Phase II clinical development, two vaccine candidates in Phase I clinical development and two vaccine candidates in preclinical development. The company currently employs more than 400 people with sites in Maryland, Michigan, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the Republic of Singapore. More information about Emergent BioSolutions can be found at http://www.emergentbiosolutions.com
Emergent BioSolutions Inc.
CONTACT: Kim Brennen Root of Emergent BioSolutions Inc., +1-517-749-3265,rootk@bioport.com
Web site: http://www.ebsi.com/
