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New Contract Extends USG's Commitment to Purchase BioThrax Through 3Q 2011 and is a Follow-on to the Existing 2007, $448 Million Contract
ROCKVILLE, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--October 1, 2008--Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE:EBS) announced today that it has
signed a new, multi-year, firm fixed price contract with the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to supply an additional
14.5 million doses of BioThrax(R) (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed), its FDA
licensed anthrax vaccine, for inclusion in the Strategic National
Stockpile (SNS).
The total value of this follow-on contract is between $364 million
and $404 million, with the higher amount tied to the delivery of
product having four-year expiry dating. First deliveries of BioThrax
under this new contract are scheduled to begin in 3Q 2009, immediately
following the scheduled completion of deliveries under the company's
current $448 million contract to supply 18.75 million doses of
BioThrax to the SNS. Final product deliveries under this new contract
are anticipated in 3Q 2011.
"This follow-on contract with HHS is continuing evidence of the
government's steadfast commitment to procure critical countermeasures
to protect against the threat of bioterrorism in our country," said
Fuad El-Hibri, chairman and chief executive officer of Emergent
BioSolutions. "We are encouraged that we were able to secure this new
procurement for an additional 14.5 million doses with HHS, because it
represents a seamless transition from our current contract for the
shipment of 18.75 million doses of BioThrax into the SNS. This clearly
demonstrates the U.S. government's commitment to maintaining a strong,
domestic industrial base for biodefense medical countermeasures."
About BioThrax(R) (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed)
BioThrax is the only FDA-licensed vaccine for the prevention of
anthrax infection. It is licensed 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, the U.S.
government has procured nearly 32 million doses of BioThrax. During
that time period, nearly 7.9 million doses have been administered to
more than two million military personnel. BioThrax cannot cause
anthrax infection.
About Emergent BioSolutions Inc.
Emergent BioSolutions Inc. is a leading, fully integrated
biopharmaceutical company dedicated to one simple mission--to protect
life. Emergent develops, manufactures and commercializes
immune-related vaccines and biotherapeutics that assist the body's
immune system to prevent or treat infectious and other life
threatening diseases. Emergent's marketed product, BioThrax(R)
(Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed), is the only vaccine licensed by the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration for the prevention of anthrax infection.
Emergent's clinical pipeline includes franchises focused on anthrax
and botulism, as well as individual program candidates targeting
typhoid, tuberculosis, hepatitis B and chlamydia.
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, 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 appropriations for BioThrax
procurement under the new SNS contract; appropriations for BioThrax
procurement for the SNS under future contracts; our ability to obtain
new BioThrax sales contracts with the U.S. government; our plans for
future sales of BioThrax; future appropriations for the procurement of
BioThrax for the SNS; future appropriations for the funding of
development contracts related to our other anthrax-related programs;
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; 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 current report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended June 30, 2008 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.
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