Emergent BioSolutions reacts to BARDA's Request for Proposal cancellation

by Nick Rees on December 8, 2009

Fuad El-Hibri

The Office of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority has advised Emergent BioSolutions that while BARDA's Request for Proposal has been canceled, Emergent is encouraged to submit a proposal for the office's Broad Agency Announcement.

BARDA canceled the RFP for the procurement for rPA vaccines after a technical evaluation panel determined that no proposals submitted by vaccine developers could meet the ProjectBioShield statutory requirement of having the product ready for licensure within eight years.

An amendment issued by BARDA to BAA 09-34 at the same time, however, enable companies to submit proposals to obtain development funding for rPA vaccine candidates, which Emergent has been strongly encouraged to do by BARDA.

Emergent plans to submit its proposal to the BAA by the end of this year, in front of the due date of February 1, 2010 for the proposals.

This announcement also does not impact Emergent's $400 million procurement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to manufacture and deliver 14.5 million doses of BioThrax for the Strategic National Stockpile.

“With this action, BioThrax remains a critical and long-term countermeasure for the US government,” Fuad El-Hibri, chairman and chief executive officer of Emergent BioSolutions, said. “In addition, based upon encouragement by the USG, we believe our rPA vaccine is well-positioned to obtain a development contract under this BAA. Our anthrax franchise solidifies Emergent as a leader in the development and supply of anthrax medical countermeasures.”

BioThrax is currently being delivered under this contract with an expected completion of deliveries by September 2011. BioThrax is the only FDA licensed vaccine for the prevention of anthrax diseases.

“We believe that BioThrax will remain a premier product based on its recent enhancements, such as four-year dating, a reduced vaccination schedule and intramuscular route of administration, together with the potential for a further reduction in the vaccination schedule to a 3-dose primary series with a 3-year boost," Daniel J.Abdun-Nabi, president and chief operating officer of Emergent BioSolutions, said. "BioThrax continues to be the product of choice for the USG and other customers seeking to address the anthrax threat.”

BARDA and Emergent are also in separate talks for a contract that would see BARDAA fund scale-up and related activities to obtain FDA licensure for large-scale production of BioThrax at Emergent's new 50,000-square-foot Lansing, Mich., manufacturing facility.

"I am proud that Lansing remains home to America's first line of defense against what experts say is the single biggest bioterror threat, anthrax," U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, MI-08, said. "The good news about the cancellation of this particular proposal is HHS recommitted itself to the Lansing-made anthrax vaccine and has opened a new proposal for a next-generation anthrax vaccine for which Emergent has indicated it will compete.

"Rest assured, I will continue working to strengthen our nation's existing bioterror preparedness measures and protect national security jobs in Lansing."

Source : http://www.bioprepwatch.com/news/211216-emergent-biosolutions-reacts-to-bardas-request-for-proposal-cancellation

EMERGENT BIOSOLUTIONS ANTICIPATES 2ND QUARTER BIOTHRAX REVENUES OF APPROXIMATELY $20 MILLION BASED ON ACCELERATED DELIVERY TO DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

ROCKVILLE, MD, June 27, 2007—Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE: EBS), a biopharmaceutical company, announced today that, pursuant to the terms of an amended contract with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), it anticipates completing delivery of 900,000 doses of BioThrax® (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed) during the quarter ending June 30, 2007 or shortly thereafter. The company anticipates that, with these deliveries, second quarter revenues would be approximately $20 million. The terms of the amended contract with the DoD authorize delivery of BioThrax ahead of schedule.

The company is also preparing its response to a May 7, 2007 request for proposal from the DoD for a follow-on contract for the supply of up to 14 million doses of BioThrax to the military for its active immunization program. The request for proposal contemplates a contract term of one base year and three option years.

“Emergent BioSolutions and the DoD have a longstanding relationship and we are pleased to continue to provide doses of BioThrax for the military’s ongoing active immunization program,” said Fuad El-Hibri, chairman and chief executive officer of Emergent BioSolutions. “By repeatedly fulfilling our commitments to the U.S. Government, we continue to strengthen our reputation for reliability—an essential element of a successful partnership with the government. I am proud of our role in helping to protect our nation’s troops against biological threats.”

About Emergent BioSolutions Inc.

Emergent BioSolutions Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to one simple mission—to protect life. We develop, manufacture and commercialize immunobiotics, consisting of vaccines and therapeutics that assist the body’s immune system to prevent or treat disease. Our biodefense business focuses on immunobiotics for use against biological agents that are potential weapons of bioterrorism and biowarfare. Our marketed product, BioThrax® (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed), is the only vaccine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the prevention of anthrax infection. Our commercial business focuses on immunobiotics for use against infectious diseases and other medical conditions that have resulted in significant unmet or underserved public health needs. More information on the company is available 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 our strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenues, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management, including our expected revenue for the second quarter of 2007, 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 our performance under BioThrax sales contract with the U.S. Department of Defense, including the timing of deliveries under that contract; our ability to obtain new BioThrax sales contracts with the U.S. government; our plans for future sales of BioThrax; 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; our estimates regarding expenses, future revenue, capital requirements and needs for additional financing; and other factors identified in the company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 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.