On Jul. 2, 2024, Emergent BioSolutions announced it had received more than $250 million
in contract modifications from the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) at the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to deliver millions of doses of four medical countermeasures (MCMs). These contract modifications will help ensure continued supply/stockpiling of critical MCMs to address biological threats and emergencies against anthrax, smallpox and botulism.

The four awards include:

• A contract modification valued at $30.0 million to supply CYFENDUS^® (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed, Adjuvanted) this year. Previously known as AV7909, CYFENDUS^® is a two-dose anthrax vaccine for post-exposure prophylaxis use in individuals 18 years of age and older. This new procurement funding is from Emergent’s existing 10-year contract with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) under contract (HHSO100201600030C).
• A contract modification valued at $99.9 million to supply ACAM2000^® (Smallpox (Vaccinia) Vaccine, Live) this year. ACAM2000^® is licensed for active immunization against smallpox disease for persons determined to be at high risk for smallpox infection. This is under Emergent’s existing 10-year contract with ASPR (75A50119C00071).
• Two new contract options totaling $122.9 million have been awarded to supply ASPR with VIGIV^® [Vaccinia Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human)] drug product, and BAT^® [Botulism Antitoxin Heptavalent (A, B, C, D, E, F, G) – (Equine)] drug substance and delivery of drug production this year and into early 2025. VIGIV^® is used for treatment of complications to smallpox vaccination, while BAT^® is indicated for the treatment of symptomatic botulism following documented or suspected exposure to botulinum neurotoxin serotypes A, B, C, D, E, F, or G in adults and pediatric patients. Both are under Emergent’s existing 10-year contracts with ASPR (75A50119C00037 and 75A50119C00075, respectively).

Emergent specializes in developing, manufacturing, and supplying MCMs for military and civilian populations. The types and quantities of products that should be maintained in a stockpile will depend on the population requiring protection, the products available for meeting the threat, as well as government resources and priorities.