Oxford-Emergent Tuberculosis Consortium Vaccinates Last Infant in Phase IIb Clinical Trial
- Total of 2,784 infants vaccinated in TB efficacy trial evaluating MVA85A
- Study results expected to be available as early as mid-2012
Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE:EBS) announced today that its joint venture with the University of Oxford (Oxford), the Oxford-Emergent Tuberculosis Consortium (OETC), has vaccinated the last of the 2,784 infants in its Phase IIb efficacy trial evaluating MVA85A, the world’s most clinically advanced tuberculosis (TB) vaccine in development. This clinical trial in Worcester, South Africa, is being conducted by the University of Cape Town’s South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative (SATVI), in partnership with Aeras, the clinical sponsor of the study, and the Wellcome Trust.
“Emergent BioSolutions joined the fight against TB when it formed OETC with Oxford to further develop MVA85A,” said Daniel J. Abdun-Nabi, Chairman of the Board, OETC and President and Chief Operating Officer, Emergent BioSolutions. “We are pleased to complete the vaccination of our targeted 2,784 infants, which is the largest number of infants enrolled in any TB vaccine clinical trial. Our quest to fulfill Emergent’s corporate mission – to protect life – will come to fruition when we can bring this vaccine candidate to market and ultimately make an impact in patients’ lives.”
“We are extremely proud of this achievement and are eager to see the study results, which are expected to be available as early as mid-2012,” said Dr. Helen McShane, lead scientist and developer of MVA85A from the University of Oxford. “This milestone brings us a step closer to potentially having a new TB vaccine, from which millions of people around the world would benefit.”
This Phase IIb clinical trial was initiated in July 2009 and involves a two-year follow up on the infants vaccinated as part of the trial to evaluate whether the vaccine candidate has conferred protection against TB.
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.
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 strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenues, projected costs, future product development, 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 actual results of the Consortium or Emergent to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including the timing of, and the potential for successful outcomes resulting from, future product development efforts; the ability of the Consortium or Emergent to obtain funding for product development efforts; plans of the Consortium and Emergent to expand manufacturing facilities and capabilities; the rate and degree of market acceptance and clinical utility of products; and other factors identified in Emergent’s Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2010 and subsequent reports filed with the SEC. The Consortium and Emergent disclaim 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 Inc. Investors Contact: Robert G. Burrows Vice President, Investor Relations 301-795-1877 BurrowsR@ebsi.com or Media Contact: Tracey Schmitt Vice President, Corporate Communications 301-795-1800 SchmittT@ebsi.com