Emergent BioSolutions gets $1.25 billion BioThrax order for US government

Emergent BioSolutions (NYSE: EBS) revealed yesterday that it has received an award to supply the US government with 44.75 million doses of BioThrax (anthrax vaccine adsorbed) over a period of five years for a total value of up to $1.25 billion. BioThrax is the only vaccine licensed by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to protect against anthrax infection.

Fuad El-Hibri, chairman and chief executive of Emergent BioSolutions, commented: "This five-year award provides for uninterrupted supply of this critical biodefense countermeasure while addressing the government's mandate to reduce spending across all programs. In coming to agreement, Emergent and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention worked diligently to establish business terms that incorporate substantial price concessions."