Emergent BioSolutions has landed a five-year, $29 million contract with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to make a dry formulation of the NuThrax anthrax vaccine candidate in an effort to facilitate shipping and storage at normal temperatures.
The company said Monday the contract covers manufacturing, non-clinical processes and application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for Investigational New Drug status.
“We are committed to responding to the U.S. government’s needs to combat the ongoing threat of bioterrorism,” said Adam Havey, Emergent BioSolutions executive vice president and biodefense division president.
Havey said the vaccine candidate is intended to induce higher immune response and fewer doses.
NuThrax consists of the Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed BioThrax and CPG 7909, an immunostimulatory oligodeoxynucleotide compound.
NIAID is part of the National Institutes of Health.