Emergent Biosolutions, Inc. has signed a new contract with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for additional supplies of BioThrax(R) its FDA licensed anthrax vaccine, for inclusion in the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS).

The total value of this subsequent contract is between $364 million and $404 million, higher amount dependent on the delivery of the product having a four-year expiry dating. Under the new contract, the first deliveries of the vaccine are scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2009 and to be finished in the third quarter of 2011, immediately after the completion of deliveries under the company’s current contract for 18.75 million doses of BioThrax.

BioThrax(R) is the only FDA-licensed vaccine for the prevention of anthrax infection. It is a pre-exposure prophylaxis for adults at high risk of exposure to anthrax spores. Manufactured from a culture filtrate, BioThrax(R) is made from a non-virulent strain of Baccillus anthracis and contains no dead or live bacteria. And is administered by subcutaneous injection in various doses including a recommended annual booster dose thereafter. The final product is formulated to contain 1.2 mg/mL aluminum, added as aluminum hydroxide in 0.85% sodium chloride.

Since 1998, the U.S. government has procured nearly 32 million doses of BioThrax(R). During that time period, nearly 7.9 million doses have been administered to more than two million military personnel.

Source: Emergent BioSolutions Inc.