Emergent BioSolutions, Inc., releases update on BioThrax procurement contract with CDC

Emergent BioSolutions, Inc., released an update on Friday of the status of its 2011 procurement contract for BioThrax with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

BioThrax is the only anthrax vaccine licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The vaccine is indicated for pre-exposure prophylaxis and post-exposure prophylaxis of anthrax disease.

The CDC exercised an option to acquire 44.75 million doses of BioThrax, which was included in the 2011 contract with Emergent BioSolutions. While the original period expired on Sept. 30, the CDC also granted a no-cost extension to enable the delivery of remaining doses to be completed by Nov. 30.

Emergent said that the company remains in active negotiations with the CDC with respect to the sole source notification issued in June, which covers the purchase of 29.4 million doses of BioThrax over the course of five years. The company said that it would release clarifying information upon finalization of the contract with CDC.

Emergent BioSolutions is a specialty biopharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and delivers medical countermeasures for both biological and chemical threats to protect pubic health.