$16.7 Million Contact Continues Zaire Ebolavirus Treatment Development

Emergent BioSolutions Inc. today announced that the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) executed a contract modification for the second option period, valued at approximately $16.7 million.

This option is part of Emergent's existing 10-year contract with BARDA for the advanced development and procurement of Ebanga™, which has a maximum value of $704 million.

This modification will validate the drug product process and analytical testing and ensure long-term stability for Ebanga, which is indicated for treating infection caused by the Zaire Ebola virus.

Ebanga (ansuvimab-zykl) is a Zaire ebolavirus glycoprotein-directed human monoclonal antibody indicated for treating infection caused by Zaire ebolavirus in adult and pediatric patients.

As of 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has determined that Ebolavirus disease (EVD) threatens national health security. To augment the government's response capability, BARDA is pursuing the advanced development, licensure, and procurement of therapeutics that can be deployed in EVD outbreaks.

"We are delighted our continued collaboration with BARDA is advancing Ebanga development toward supplying treatment and ensuring communities are prepared against Ebola (outbreaks)," said Simon Lowry, M.D., chief medical officer, head of research and development, Emergent, in a press release on January 13, 2025.

"Ebola is a devastating infectious illness with limited treatment options."

Ebanga is not a preventive vaccine.

As of early 2025, Merck's U.S. FDA-approved Ervebo® (rVSV-ZEBOV) vaccine was licensed in the U.S., the U.K., the European Union, Canada, and various countries. Recently, Sierra Leone became the first country in Africa to launch a preventive Ebola vaccination campaign targeting health workers.

Ervebo is not commercially available in the U.S.

Orthoebolavirus zairense (EVD) is severe and often fatal, with case fatality rates ranging from 25% to 90%, and is transmitted via bodily fluids, zoonotic transmission, or contact with contaminated surfaces. 

According to the World Health Organization, more than 30 EVD outbreaks have been reported. The initial Zaire Ebolavirus case was confirmed in 1976 in a village near the Ebola River.

As of 2025, no active U.S. CDC Travel Health Notice is focused on Ebola outbreaks in Africa.