$235.8 Million Supply of Anthrax Vaccines Ordered by the U.S.

Emergent BioSolutions Inc. today announced that it has secured an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) procurement contract with a maximum value of up to $235.8 million to supply BioThrax® (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed) for use by all branches of the United States military as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for anthrax disease.

The new contract with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), led by the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense, is comprised of a five-year base agreement ending on September 30, 2028, and an additional five-year option that would extend the contract to September 30, 2033.

Under the initial five-year IDIQ contract, there is a guaranteed purchase minimum of $20.1 million, with future orders estimated at least $20 million each following year.

"As a part of our mission to protect and enhance lives, Emergent is proud to continue supporting and preparing our nation's service members who have a high risk of exposure to anthrax bacteria by supplying BioThrax vaccine," said Paul Williams, senior vice president, products head at Emergent, in a press release on January 11, 2024.

Emergent's BioThrax vaccine is indicated for active immunization to prevent disease caused by Bacillus anthracis in persons 18 through 65 years of age.

BioThrax is also approved for pre-exposure prophylaxis of disease in persons at high risk of exposure.

Furthermore, BioThrax is approved for post-exposure prophylaxis of disease following suspected or confirmed Bacillus anthracis exposure when administered in conjunction with recommended antibacterial drugs.

Biothrax's initial approval in the U.S. was issued in 1970. The U.S. FDA updated STN: BL 103821 in July 2023.