anthrax

Emergent inks $29.7M anthrax vax contract

Maureen Martino — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 11:14:19 -0400

Emergent BioSolutions has inked a three-year, $29.7 million deal with Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). BARDA/NIAID will fund the further development of AV7909, a an anthrax vaccine candidate. AV7909 is made up of Emergent's own BioThrax and CPG 7909 (VaxImmune), which it licensed from Pfizer.

The three-year contract provides up to $24.9 million of funding for manufacturing of clinical lots, for non-clinical safety and efficacy studies, and for stability studies to further demonstrate that the vaccine candidate does not need refrigeration during storage, a key requirement of this vaccine development initiative. In addition, the contract provides up to $4.8 million for a Phase I clinical trial, to be funded as an option that, if exercised, would increase the value of the contract to $29.7 million.

- see Emergent's release

Ivins' anthrax attack linked to vaccine criticism?

John Carroll — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:30:00 -0400

Federal officials believe that Senator Tom Daschle's objections to the anthrax vaccine being given to soldiers may have been a prime reason why he was targeted in the 2001 anthrax attacks. Daschle raised concerns that the vaccine would make members of the National Guard ill--a suggestion that anthrax vaccine researcher Bruce Ivins evidently was angry about.

Speculation has been rampant that Ivins, a federal scientist directly engaged in vaccine research, initiated a series of deadly attacks using anthrax in order to boost interest and funding for his work and perhaps profit from a scramble for a new and better vaccine. Ivins committed suicide on August 1 as the FBI was preparing a case against him.

- read the story from the Hartford Courant

ALSO: Federal officials unveiled their case against Ivins on Wednesday, indicating that he was seeking more government support for biodefense work. Article

VaxGen sells anthrax vaccine to its old rival

Thu, 08 May 2008 06:59:55 -0400

Reduced to a skeleton crew and a bleak outlook, South San Francisco-based VaxGen sold its experimental anthrax vaccine to its former chief rival, Emergent BioSolutions, for $2 million down and up to $8 million in milestones.

VaxGen began to founder in 2006 when the government revoked an $877 million contract for the VaxGen vaccine after the company failed to start a human trial on schedule. Now Emergent, which makes the only FDA-approved anthrax vaccine now available, says it plans to advance the experimental vaccine.

VaxGen, which once had more than 200 employees, has been reduced to a staff of about six after a planned merger with Raven biotechnologies fell through.

- here's VaxGen's release on the deal

PharmAthene bids for big anthrax vaccine contract

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 07:59:57 -0400

PharmAthene is making a bid to develop a next-gen anthrax vaccine that can qualify for a $400 million government contract. The small Maryland developer is paying up to $40 million for a pair of vaccines from the UK's Avecia Biologics, including an experimental anthrax vaccine. PharmAthene senior vice president Eric Richman tells the Washington Post that the company believes that it has the clinical know-how to work with nearby government officials who are seeking a new vaccine.

PharmAthene is heading into dangerous waters. VaxGen tried and failed to get the government contract for a new anthrax vaccine, with disastrous consequences. But rich rewards await a successful effort. The U.S. government is anxious to stockpile a new vaccine to replace the aging vaccine it buys from Emergent BioSolutions, also based in Maryland. The older vaccine requires six doses and the government wants a new therapy that involves fewer jabs.

- here's the release
- read the article from the Washington Post

Related Articles:
PharmAthene snares two vaccines in buyout. Report
PharmAthene to go public through merger. Report
PharmAthene finds backers for research pact. Report