GAITHERSBURG, Md., Dec. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE: EBS) today announced that the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) within the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded a $50 million option to Emergent’s existing contract for the acquisition of CYFENDUS.
Deliveries are expected to begin this calendar year and be complete by April 2025. This award follows a previously announced contract modification of $30.0 million to supply CYFENDUS® (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed, Adjuvanted) this year.
CYFENDUS® vaccine was approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in July 2023 as a two-dose anthrax vaccine for post-exposure prophylaxis use in individuals 18 through 65 years of age. Anthrax is a Tier 1 biological select agent due to its potential to be used for a bioterrorist incident and threat to public health and national security.
“An anthrax emergency continues to be a significant public health threat due to its ability to be easily disseminated, lethality, and potential for widespread impact,” said Paul Williams, senior vice president, products head at Emergent. “This procurement award further bolsters anthrax preparedness and demonstrates Emergent’s commitment to public health preparedness.”
In addition to the CYFENDUS® vaccine, Emergent’s anthrax franchise includes the BioThrax® vaccine, which continues to serve a critical purpose, as well as two treatments, Anthrasil® [Anthrax Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human)], a polyclonal antibody therapeutic, and raxibacumab, a monoclonal antibody therapeutic.
This project has been supported in whole or in part with federal funds from the Department of Health and Human Services; Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response; Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority under contract HHSO100201600030C.
About CYFENDUS® (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed, Adjuvanted)
Indication
CYFENDUS® (Anthrax Vaccine Absorbed, Adjuvanted) is a vaccine indicated for post-exposure prophylaxis of anthrax disease following suspected or confirmed exposure to Bacillus anthracis in persons 18 through 65 years of age when given with recommended antibacterial drugs.
The efficacy of CYFENDUS® vaccine for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is based solely on studies in animal models of inhalational anthrax.
Important Safety Information
Contraindication: Do not take CYFENDUS® vaccine if you are allergic to CYFENDUS® vaccine, BioThrax® (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed) or any ingredient of the vaccine.
Allergic reactions: Appropriate medical treatment and supervision must be available after receiving CYFENDUS® vaccine to manage possible serious allergic reactions. Get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
Altered Immunocompetence: Immunocompromised persons, including individuals receiving immunosuppressive therapy, may have a diminished immune response to CYFENDUS® vaccine.
Pregnancy: CYFENDUS® vaccine can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant individual. Before getting CYFENDUS® vaccine, tell your healthcare provider if you may be pregnant, plan to get pregnant soon, or are nursing a baby.
Adverse reactions: The most common adverse reactions reported were tenderness, pain, warmth, itching, swelling, redness, bruising, arm motion limitations, muscle aches, tiredness, headache, and fever.
U.S. Prescribing Information
The full Prescribing Information for CYFENDUS® vaccine can be found here.
About Emergent BioSolutions
At Emergent, our mission is to protect and enhance life. For 25 years, we’ve been at work defending people from things we hope will never happen—so we are prepared just in case they ever do. We provide solutions for complex and urgent public health threats through a portfolio of vaccines and therapeutics that we develop and manufacture for governments and consumers. We also offer a range of integrated contract development and manufacturing services for pharmaceutical and biotechnology customers. To learn more about how we plan to protect or enhance 1 billion lives by 2030, visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
