Posts Tagged ‘United States’

Colman McCarthy to Receive 2010 EL-HIBRI Peace Education Prize

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

August  17,  2010  — The El-Hibri Charitable Foundation announced today that prominent peace educator, nationally renowned columnist and accomplished author Colman McCarthy has been selected as the recipient of the  2010 El-Hibri Peace Education Prize. The Prize, which carries a monetary award of  $15,000, is given annually by the foundation to honor an individual or organization that has made a significant contribution to the field of peace education. McCarthy’s selection was made by a committee of peace education experts chaired by Dr. Mubarak Awad, President of Nonviolence International.

“Colman McCarthy has dedicated his life to teaching young people the principles of peaceful conflict resolution,” noted Robert Buchanan, president of the El-Hibri Charitable Foundation. “His personal commitment and example, combined with his access to national media, have inspired countless individuals to incorporate the values of peace and nonviolence in their personal and professional lives. The El-Hibri Charitable Foundation is pleased to recognize Colman McCarthy for his tireless efforts on behalf of peace education.”

McCarthy was a columnist with The Washington Post from  1969 to 1997. He also wrote for The New Yorker, The Nation, and The Atlantic, among other publications, and has been a frequent guest on C-SPAN. In addition to his career in journalism, McCarthy has been teaching courses on nonviolence and peace studies for nearly thirty years at Washington, D.C. area schools, universities, and student leadership programs. In 1985, he founded and continues to lead the Center for Teaching Peace, a non-profit organization that works with schools and individuals around the world to initiate and expand academic programs in peace education.

McCarthy’s publications include “I’d Rather Teach Peace”, “All of One Peace” and “At Rest with the Animals”.He is also the editor of two anthologies of peace essays that are used as course texts in high schools and colleges:  “Solutions to Violence” and  “Strength Through Peace”.

The  2010 El-Hibri Peace Education Prize will be awarded to Colman McCarthy at a ceremony to be held at 6:30 p.m. on September 25th at the El-Hibri Charitable Foundation’s Washington, D.C. headquarters.

The El-Hibri Charitable Foundation is a  501(c)(3) non-profit private foundation founded in 2001 and led by Fuad El-Hibri, Chairman of the Board of Trustees.. The foundation seeks to build a better world by encouraging peace education, interfaith dialogue, humanitarian aid and social justice.The El-Hibri Peace Education Prize was initiated in  2007. Past Laureates include Abdul Aziz Said, founder of the Center for Global Peace at American University; Scott Kennedy, peace activist and co-founder of the Resource Center for Nonviolence; and Mary E. King,international educator,author and policy advisor.

For further information, visit http://www.elhibriprize.org

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Emergent Revises Upward 2010 Financial Forecast

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

Company anticipates total revenues of $275 to $300 million and net income of $40 to $50 million

ROCKVILLE, MD, July 20, 2010 – Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE:EBS) announced today that it is revising upwards its 2010 annual guidance to now reflect anticipated total revenues of $275 to $300 million and net income of $40 to $50 million.  Of the anticipated total revenues of $275 to $300 million, $165 to $190 million is expected to be recognized in the second half of 2010.  This revised forecast does not reflect or incorporate any revenue impact from a possible development contract for the company’s rPA vaccine candidate.

The revision to the 2010 financial forecast is supported primarily by the recent modification to the company’s current BioThrax® procurement contract with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  This contract modification increased the number of doses of BioThrax that the company can deliver into the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) during calendar 2010.  This increased volume of available doses of BioThrax is due to consistently high production yields throughout 2010.

“This modification by the CDC to our existing BioThrax procurement contract reinforces, yet again, the US government’s commitment to BioThrax as a critical component of the Strategic National Stockpile and to our nation’s defense against bioterrorism,” said Fuad El-Hibri, chairman and chief executive officer of Emergent.  “This is another example of how we continue to work with our US government partners in establishing BioThrax as the backbone of our readiness against the threat of anthrax and to building a stockpile as rapidly as possible.”

Daniel J. Abdun-Nabi, president and chief operating officer of Emergent, also commented, “The production yields we have been experiencing are a direct result of our commitment to driving innovation in our manufacturing process and to a multi-year initiative focused on process optimization of the existing Building 12 production facility.  We are extremely pleased with the results of our continuous process improvement program for BioThrax and expect this program to drive the maintenance of positive production metrics going forward.”

About Emergent BioSolutions Inc.

Emergent BioSolutions Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development, manufacture and commercialization of vaccines and antibody therapies that assist the body’s immune system to prevent or treat disease.  Emergent’s marketed product, BioThrax® (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed), is the only vaccine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the prevention of anthrax infection.  Emergent’s product pipeline targets infectious diseases and includes programs focused on anthrax, tuberculosis, typhoid, flu and chlamydia.  Additional information may be found at www.emergentbiosolutions.com.

About BioThrax®

BioThrax is the only FDA-licensed vaccine for the prevention of anthrax infection.  It is indicated for the active immunization of adults who are at high risk of exposure to anthrax.  BioThrax is manufactured from a culture filtrate, made from a non-virulent strain of Bacillus anthracis.  Since 1998, the U.S. government has procured over 45 million doses of BioThrax.  During that time period, more than 9.6 million doses have been administered to nearly 2.4 million military personnel.  For full prescribing information, please visit www.biothrax.com/prescribinginformation_biothrax_us.pdf.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements, other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding our strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenues, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management, including any potential future securities offering, our expected revenue growth and net earnings for 2010, and any other statements containing the words “believes”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “plans”, “estimates” and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause the company’s actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including appropriations for BioThrax® procurement; our ability to obtain new BioThrax® sales contracts; our plans to pursue label expansions and improvements for BioThrax®; our plans to expand our manufacturing facilities and capabilities; the rate and degree of market acceptance and clinical utility of our products; the success of our ongoing and planned development programs, preclinical studies and clinical trials; our ability to identify and acquire or in license products and product candidates that satisfy our selection criteria; the potential benefits of our existing collaboration agreements and our ability to enter into selective additional collaboration arrangements; the timing of and our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approvals for our other product candidates; our commercialization, marketing and manufacturing capabilities and strategy; our manufacturing success rates; our estimates regarding expenses, future revenue, capital requirements and needs for additional financing; and other factors identified in the company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 and subsequent reports filed with the SEC. The company disclaims any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this press release.

Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley Leads Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Emergent’s Baltimore Manufacturing Facility

Tuesday, July 27th, 2010
Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley and Fuad El-Hibri

Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley and Fuad El-Hibri

ROCKVILLE, MD, July 16, 2010 – Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE:EBS) today held a ribbon cutting ceremony, led by Governor Martin O’Malley and Fuad El-Hibri, Emergent’s chairman and chief executive officer, to mark the formal opening of Emergent Manufacturing Operations Baltimore.  Emergent’s new facility consists of 56,000 square feet of manufacturing and office space, and includes multiple manufacturing suites designed to support clinical and commercial manufacture of the company’s rPA, anthrax monoclonal, and tuberculosis product candidates, among others.

“The Baltimore facility symbolizes Emergent’s continued investment in manufacturing as one of its core competencies and competitive advantages,” said Mr. El-Hibri.  “It is also a testament to Emergent’s commitment to the State of Maryland, where we are proud to be a key contributor to economic development and job growth.”

“Maryland has a reputation of being a haven for thriving life sciences and biotechnology companies, thanks to industry leaders like Emergent BioSolutions,” said Governor O’Malley. “Emergent’s expansion into Baltimore, through the purchase and re-commissioning of this facility, enables significant investment in the biotech infrastructure already in place and ensures that high-paying, highly-skilled jobs are created and remain in Maryland.”

Emergent employs over 680 employees across the globe, with 180 employees located in Maryland, where, aside from the Baltimore manufacturing facility, its corporate headquarters and one of its product development sites are located.  The opening of this new facility could create an additional 120 jobs in the next five years.

“The opening of this new biopharmaceutical facility is good news for three reasons: jobs, jobs and more jobs for Maryland,” said Senator Barbara Mikulski (MD-D). “To keep our state competitive in the global economy, we have to create and support Maryland’s jobs of the future, like the innovative life sciences jobs at Emergent BioSolutions. I’m proud that East Baltimore has been selected to house a facility dedicated to research that will keep Americans healthy and safe.”

“I’m pleased to welcome Emergent BioSolutions to Baltimore,” said Congressman John Sarbanes (MD-D).  “This manufacturing facility helps Maryland maintain its status as a leader in the bioscience industry and brings more than 100 high paid, high skilled jobs for Marylanders.”

“Baltimore City is excited about Emergent BioSolutions’ decision to invest here, which will create many jobs and contribute a great deal to the Baltimore biotech industry,” Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said.  “I welcome Emergent BioSolutions to Baltimore City and look forward to the company’s growth in one of Baltimore’s key industries.”

The company is currently working on modifying and re-commissioning the facility.  Planned facility modifications will allow for the utilization of disposable manufacturing technology to potentially result in lower capital investments, lower operating costs, and accelerated process development timelines.  The facility previously operated as a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) licensed facility used by an experienced contract manufacturing organization to produce a number of products approved by the FDA and the European Medicines Agency.

About Emergent BioSolutions Inc.

Emergent BioSolutions Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development, manufacture and commercialization of vaccines and antibody therapies that assist the body’s immune system to prevent or treat disease. Emergent’s marketed product, BioThrax® (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed), is the only vaccine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the prevention of anthrax infection.  Emergent’s product pipeline targets infectious diseases and includes programs focused on anthrax, tuberculosis, typhoid, flu and chlamydia. Additional information may be found at www.emergentbiosolutions.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements, other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding our strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenues, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management, including any potential future securities offering, our expected revenue growth and net earnings for 2010, and any other statements containing the words “believes”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “plans”, “estimates” and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause the company’s actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including appropriations for BioThrax® procurement; our ability to obtain new BioThrax® sales contracts; our plans to pursue label expansions and improvements for BioThrax®; our plans to expand our manufacturing facilities and capabilities; the rate and degree of market acceptance and clinical utility of our products; the success of our ongoing and planned development programs, preclinical studies and clinical trials; our ability to identify and acquire or in license products and product candidates that satisfy our selection criteria; the potential benefits of our existing collaboration agreements and our ability to enter into selective additional collaboration arrangements; the timing of and our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approvals for our other product candidates; our commercialization, marketing and manufacturing capabilities and strategy; our estimates regarding expenses, future revenue, capital requirements and needs for additional financing; and other factors identified in the company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 and subsequent reports filed with the SEC. The company disclaims any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this press release.

Emergent BioSolutions Hosts Biopreparedness Roundtable for NATO Parliamentarians

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

ROCKVILLE, Md., Jul 12, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) –

Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE:EBS) is hosting “Bioterrorism Prevention, Preparedness and Response,” a forum organized for members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Parliamentary Assembly (PA) to raise global awareness of the importance of biopreparedness. The visiting delegation is composed of parliamentarians from Canada, Estonia, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Italy, Hungary, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Poland, Portugal, Turkey, Sweden, Slovenia, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

“Emergent commends NATO parliamentarians for advancing the international dialogue on biopreparedness,” said Allen Shofe, senior vice president public affairs, Emergent BioSolutions. “We are pleased to share our knowledge based on Emergent’s extensive experience in the development, manufacture, and delivery of medical countermeasures that are critical to the U.S. government’s biodefense infrastructure.”

The forum features biodefense expert Dr. Robert Kadlec, Director of PRTM Biodefense and Public Health Practice, who will discuss the United States’ approach to bioterrorism prevention, including best practices and strategies such as funding, development, and manufacture of biodefense medical countermeasures, creation of strategic stockpiles, and cooperation within the international community.

Emergent BioSolutions’ senior management team, headed by Daniel J. Abdun-Nabi, President and Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Tevi Troy, Senior Visiting Fellow at the Hudson Institute and former Deputy Director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and Dr. Barry Kellman, President of the International Security and Biopolicy Institute (ISBI) are among the attendees. The forum is taking place in Washington, D.C.

About Emergent BioSolutions Inc.

Emergent BioSolutions Inc., led by Chairman and CEO Fuad El-Hibri, is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development, manufacture and commercialization of vaccines and antibody therapies that assist the body’s immune system to prevent or treat disease. Emergent’s marketed product, BioThrax(R) (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed), is the only vaccine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the prevention of anthrax infection. Emergent’s product pipeline targets infectious diseases and includes programs focused on anthrax, tuberculosis, typhoid, flu and chlamydia. Additional information may be found at www.emergentbiosolutions.com.

About the NATO Parliamentary Assembly

The NATO Parliamentary Assembly is the inter-parliamentary organization of legislators from the member countries of the North Atlantic Alliance as well as 14 associate members. The Assembly provides a critical forum for international parliamentary dialogue on an array of security, political and economic matters. For more information, visit www.nato-pa.int.

Emergent BioSolutions to Participate in June 2010 Investor Conferences

Monday, June 7th, 2010

Fuad El-Hibri, CEO of Emergent BioSolutions Inc., announces that the company will be participating in the following investor conferences during June 2010:

  • The Jefferies & Company 2010 Global Life Sciences Conference
    New York, NY.
    June 8, 2010
    Corporate Overview Presentation
    11:00 AM Eastern
    There will be a full webcast with slides that will include discussion of the Company’s business activities, financial outlook and current news.
  • The Needham & Company 9th Annual Healthcare Conference
    New York, NY.
    June 10, 2010
    Corporate Overview Presentation
    3:20 PM Eastern
    There will be a full webcast with slides that will include discussion of the Company’s business activities, financial outlook and current news.

Both webcasts will be accessible from the Emergent website www.emergentbiosolutions.com under “Investors”.

Emergent BioSolutions Hosts Biopreparedness Forum for Members of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010

Emergent BioSolutions’ senior management team, headed by Fuad El-Hibri, chairman and chief executive officer and Daniel J. Abdun-Nabi, president and chief operating officer, are hosting “Bioterrorism Prevention, Preparedness and Response,” a forum uniquely organized for members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Parliamentary Assembly (PA). The one-day event is an interactive discussion related to biopreparedness strategies and best practices such as funding, development, and manufacture of biodefense medical countermeasures, creation of strategic stockpiles, and cooperation within the international community.

“Strengthening the Biological Weapons Convention and international cooperation in biodefense are of paramount importance. This forum organized by Emergent is extremely valuable in helping us, as national legislators, to obtain more information on biopreparedness and to promote the idea of strengthening national biodefense capabilities using the best practices and expertise developed by our Allies,” said Canadian Senator Pierre Claude Nolin, NATO PA Treasurer and Vice Chairman of the NATO PA Science and Technology Committee. “We are firm believers in international mechanisms to address bioterrorism challenges.”

The forum is to provide an overview of the United States’ approach to bioterrorism prevention, the role of the Department of Defense and the importance of coordination of international efforts. Featured speakers include: Congressman Mike Rogers (R-MI), Dr. Robert P. Kadlec, Director of PRTM Biodefense and Public Health Practice, Jim Saxton, former Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and Dr. Tevi Troy, Senior Visiting Fellow at the Hudson Institute and former Deputy Director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  The visiting delegation, led by NATO Officers of the Science and Technology Committee, is composed of parliamentarians from representative NATO nations including Canada, the Czech Republic, France, and Portugal. The forum is taking place in Washington, D.C.

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Fuad El-Hibri and Healthcare Reform

Friday, April 16th, 2010
Fuad El Hibri and Healthcare reform

Fuad El-Hibri

Fuad El-Hibri serves on the Advisory Board for the Yale Healthcare Conference, a joint effort between the Yale School of Management and the Health Professional Schools at Yale University.   The 6th annual healthcare conference was held on April 9, 2010 in New Haven, CT.  The conference topic was “Re-Forming Healthcare: Excellence in a Transforming System” and brought together professionals, academics, and students to engage in an instructive conversation about current healthcare issues.  The conference addressed the challenges key stakeholders will face in a changing healthcare system and offered information on how to foster continued excellence.  Emergent Biosolutions, LLC, led by CEO and Yale School of Management alumnus, Fuad El-Hibri, co-sponsored the conference.  For more information, please see http://www.yalehealthcare.com/advisory.php.

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500 Most Influential Muslims: Science and Technology

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

The Prince Alwaleed Bin Talaal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding and The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre published its first edition in what promises to be an annual series of insight into the movers and shakers of the Muslim world. Entitled The 500 Most Influential Muslims 2009, the book categorizes Muslims’ influential capacities into 15 categories: scholarly , political, administrative, lineage, preachers, women, youth, philanthropy, development, science and technology, arts and culture, Qu’ran reciters, media, radicals, international Islamic networks and issues of the day. As part of an ongoing series each week those receiving mention in North America will be highlighted. This week those who seem to have influence in Science and Technology will be highlighted. In this category, there are four people honored living in the United States.

Mohamad Chakaki is a founding member of Green Muslims, a Washington, D.C. group that seeks to relate sustainable environmental policy to faith. He works on projects in the US and the Middle East.

Fuad El Hibri is the CEO of Emergent BioSolutions, Inc. BioSolutions is a multinational bio-pharmaceutical company that is the sole-holder of the FDA-approved anthrax vaccine. He is also Chairman of the East West Resources Corporation and Chairman and Treasurer of the El Hibri Charitable Foundation.

Dr. Mehmet Oz is a cardiothoracic surgeon recently named one of the sexiest men alive for 2009. A frequent visitor of the Oprah Winfrey show and now host of his own show, he is a professor at Columbia University and leads numerous charities and organizations. He has authored several books on personal health.

Ahmed Zewail is the recipient of the 1999 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his research on femotochemistry. He is the Linus Pauling Professor at the California Institute for Technology and was recently asked to serve at President Obama’s invitation as an adviser to the Presidential Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.

For more info: IBSN: 2009-9-4078

Source :
http://www.examiner.com/x-26018-SE-Michigan-Islamic-Examiner~y2009m12d27-500-Most-Influential-Muslims-Science-and-Technology?cid=edition-rss-Detroit

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Emergent BioSolutions reacts to BARDA’s Request for Proposal cancellation

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

by Nick Rees on December 8, 2009

El-hibri_fuadFuad El-Hibri

The Office of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority has advised Emergent BioSolutions that while BARDA’s Request for Proposal has been canceled, Emergent is encouraged to submit a proposal for the office’s Broad Agency Announcement.

BARDA canceled the RFP for the procurement for rPA vaccines after a technical evaluation panel determined that no proposals submitted by vaccine developers could meet the ProjectBioShield statutory requirement of having the product ready for licensure within eight years.

An amendment issued by BARDA to BAA 09-34 at the same time, however, enable companies to submit proposals to obtain development funding for rPA vaccine candidates, which Emergent has been strongly encouraged to do by BARDA.

Emergent plans to submit its proposal to the BAA by the end of this year, in front of the due date of February 1, 2010 for the proposals.

This announcement also does not impact Emergent’s $400 million procurement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to manufacture and deliver 14.5 million doses of BioThrax for the Strategic National Stockpile.

“With this action, BioThrax remains a critical and long-term countermeasure for the US government,” Fuad El-Hibri, chairman and chief executive officer of Emergent BioSolutions, said. “In addition, based upon encouragement by the USG, we believe our rPA vaccine is well-positioned to obtain a development contract under this BAA.  Our anthrax franchise solidifies Emergent as a leader in the development and supply of anthrax medical countermeasures.”

BioThrax is currently being delivered under this contract with an expected completion of deliveries by September 2011. BioThrax is the only FDA licensed vaccine for the prevention of anthrax diseases.

“We believe that BioThrax will remain a premier product based on its recent enhancements, such as four-year dating, a reduced vaccination schedule and intramuscular route of administration, together with the potential for a further reduction in the vaccination schedule to a 3-dose primary series with a 3-year boost,” Daniel J.Abdun-Nabi, president and chief operating officer of Emergent BioSolutions, said. “BioThrax continues to be the product of choice for the USG and other customers seeking to address the anthrax threat.”

BARDA and Emergent are also in separate talks for a contract that would see BARDAA fund scale-up and related activities to obtain FDA licensure for large-scale production of BioThrax at Emergent’s new 50,000-square-foot Lansing, Mich., manufacturing facility.

“I am proud that Lansing remains home to America’s first line of defense against what experts say is the single biggest bioterror threat, anthrax,” U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, MI-08, said. “The good news about the cancellation of this particular proposal is HHS recommitted itself to the Lansing-made anthrax vaccine and has opened a new proposal for a next-generation anthrax vaccine for which Emergent has indicated it will compete.

“Rest assured, I will continue working to strengthen our nation’s existing bioterror preparedness measures and protect national security jobs in Lansing.”

Source : http://www.bioprepwatch.com/news/211216-emergent-biosolutions-reacts-to-bardas-request-for-proposal-cancellation

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Bad News Clouds Two Bio Defense Stocks

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

Written by Staff and Wire Reports
Tuesday, 08 December 2009 01:28

Key news developments will affect shares of these two companies who help meet the critical needs of the United States and its allies by developing and commercializing medical countermeasures against biological and chemical weapons.

The two companies which waited until late after hours on Monday to announce that the Biomedical Research and Development Authority had informed them of some negative news.

After hours on Monday, PharmAthene, Inc. (NYSE Amex: PIP) a biodefense company specializing in the development and commercialization of medical countermeasures against chemical and biological threats, announced that the Department of Health and Human Services Biomedical Research and Development Authority (BARDA) has canceled its request for proposal (RFP) for Recombinant Protective Antigen Anthrax Vaccine for the Strategic National Stockpile (RFP BARDA 08-15).

PharmAthene was informed of BARDA’s decision during a meeting late Monday afternoon with BARDA representatives.  BARDA issued a press release after the close of the securities markets announcing that it will cancel RFP BARDA 08-15 because it did not believe vaccine developers submitting proposals in response to the request for proposal (RFP) could have product ready for FDA licensure within 8 years.

In similar news…

Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE:EBS) announced today that it has been advised by the Office of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) that the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the procurement of rPA vaccines has been cancelled in favor of a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for rPA vaccine development. According to BARDA officials, BARDA took this action after a technical evaluation panel determined that none of the vaccine developers submitting proposals could meet the Project BioShield statutory requirement of having a product ready for licensure within 8 years.

Simultaneously, BARDA issued an amendment to BAA 09-34 to enable companies to submit proposals to obtain development funding for rPA vaccine candidates. The due date for all proposals is February 1, 2010. During a meeting with company officials today, BARDA strongly encouraged Emergent to submit a proposal to this BAA. Emergent intends to submit its proposal by the end of this year.

While the decision by BARDA has no impact on the company’s $400 million procurement contract with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the manufacture and delivery of 14.5 million doses of BioThrax® into the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS). Investors are still likely to react negatively to the news.

After selling dies down, there may be a bounce trade opportunity for EBS followers since the company feels that “BioThrax remains a critical and long-term countermeasure for the US government,” said Fuad El-Hibri, chairman and chief executive officer of Emergent BioSolutions. “In addition, based upon encouragement by the USG, we believe our rPA vaccine is well-positioned to obtain a development contract under this BAA. Our anthrax franchise solidifies Emergent as a leader in the development and supply of anthrax medical countermeasures.”

Source :: http://biomedreports.com/articles/most-popular/20870-bad-news-clouds-move-in-on-these-stocks.html

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