Anna Forrester
Crucell Holland will move forward with work to develop experimental vaccine regimen for Ebola under a potential seven-year, $69 million contract with the preparedness and response unit of the Department of Health and Human Services.
HHS said Monday the Netherlands-based pharmaceutical company will work with Denmark-based Bavarian Nordic to develop the Ad26.ZEBOV prime and MVA-BN-Filo boost components of the regimen.
The agreement’s base period is for four years and $28.5 million in funds.
“By pursuing multiple Ebola vaccines and leveraging innovative technology, we can address biodefense needs here in the United States while spurring affordable options for global use,” said Robin Robinson, director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority at the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response.
BARDA will provide support for the manufacturing development of the Ebola vaccine regimen as clinical studies continue in the U.S. and the U.K.
HHS said the program covers process optimization and validation, fill-finish manufacturing, stability studies, and technology transfer between Crucell Holland and Bavarian Nordic.
BARDA has an option to provide the program’s clinical-grade material for studies on the combination of the prime vaccine with different formulations of the boost vaccine.
