Bavarian Nordic recently announced that a request for proposal from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) will be issued for the procurement of lyophilized Imvamune, a freeze dried version of the company’s smallpox vaccine.
The vaccine is currently stockpiled for emergency use by the United States in the U.S. Strategic National Stockpile and is approved for full use in the European Union and Canada. According to the company, registration studies are underway to support approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use by all American patients.
The vaccine is based on a strain of the modified vaccinia ankara virus (MVA-BN) and is administered like other modern vaccines via injection, rather than pricked into the skin with the use of a bifurcated needle.
“We are very happy to see this announcement from BARDA,” Paul Chaplin, president and CEO of Bavarian Nordic, said. “This initial request, which is in line with our expectations, will allow us to begin the transition from our liquid-frozen formulation, to freeze-dried Imvamune. The long term stability of this new formulation will allow the U.S. government to fulfill their stated goal of protecting a large, at risk, population.”