Emergent BioSolutions Co-Hosts Biopreparedness Conference with the French High Committee for Civil Defense
ROCKVILLE, Md., Sep 09, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) —
Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE:EBS) is co-hosting “Anthrax: Threat and Response,” a conference organized by the French High Committee for Civil Defense to discuss anthrax preparedness and response. The conference, which brings together military and civilian representatives involved in biological threat management in France, features topics on research programs, threat detection, hospital and medical chain preparedness, anthrax prevention through vaccination, decontamination of critical infrastructure, and global response strategies.
“This is a very important conference, where France’s experts discuss the issues and challenges of a terrorist anthrax attack,” said Dr. Nigel Lightfoot CBE, former Director of the Health Protection Agency, U.K. and Chair Advisor, Global Health Security Initiative, U.K. Department of Health. “They have shared their preparedness measures thus far and the research that supports their capability development. Other groups who are working towards anthrax preparedness could benefit from some of this research. It was also mentioned that France has made progress in its vaccine development utilizing protective antigen and killed spores, but it is years away from licensure. They recognize, and I strongly believe, that stockpiling of anthrax vaccines, as practiced by the U.S. and the U.K., is an essential component of the response.”
“Emergent is pleased to co-host this conference as part of our efforts to raise global awareness of biopreparedness,” said Allen Shofe, Senior Vice President Corporate Affairs, Emergent BioSolutions. “In this dialogue and sharing of best practices, we hope to leverage our company’s extensive experience in the development, manufacture, and delivery of medical countermeasures that are a critical component of the U.S. government’s biodefense strategy for national security.”
“We have organized this conference on the anthrax threat and response that gathers experts in the field from France, the United States, and United Kingdom, to discuss the anthrax threat status and the response cycle ranging from detection to medical countermeasures and decontamination,” said Christian Sommade, Managing Director of the French High Committee for Civil Defense. “We thank our public and private sponsors for their support.”
Attendees include researchers, physicians, first responders, and high level officials in charge of procurement and deployment of detection, medical countermeasures, and decontamination initiatives. Representatives of the European Commission and the U.K. government have equally been involved in this unique exchange of experiences and best practices from France, the U.S. and the U.K.
The French High Committee for Civil Defense is an international non-profit organization composed of State Assemblies, community leaders, and other stakeholders focused on issues related to national security. It works to provide better protection of the French population and businesses, and enhanced resilience of the nation against major risks and threats. The conference is being held today in Paris, France.
About Emergent BioSolutions Inc.
Emergent BioSolutions protects and enhances life by developing and manufacturing vaccines and therapeutics that are supplied to healthcare providers and purchasers for use in preventing and treating 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.
SOURCE: Emergent BioSolutions Inc.
Investors Contact: Emergent BioSolutions Robert G. Burrows Vice President, Investor Relations +1-301-795-1877 BurrowsR@ebsi.com or Media Contact: Emergent BioSolutions Tracey Schmitt Vice President, Corporate Communications +1-301-795-1800 SchmittT@ebsi.com