Emergent BioSolutions Receives Orphan Drug Designation for BioThrax for Post-Exposure Prophylaxis of Anthrax Disease
ROCKVILLE, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 21, 2014--
Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE:EBS) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Orphan Drug Designation to BioThrax(R) (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed) for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) of anthrax disease resulting from suspected or confirmed exposure to Bacillus anthracis. Orphan status is given to drugs and biologics that are being developed to treat rare medical conditions, specifically those affecting fewer than 200,000 persons in the U.S. This designation provides incentives to the BioThrax PEP Program, including the waiver of the Biologics License Application (BLA) supplemental regulatory filing fee and marketing exclusivity of up to seven years.
"Emergent is pleased with FDA's Orphan Drug Designation of BioThrax for post-exposure prophylaxis," said Adam Havey, executive vice president and president, biodefense division at Emergent BioSolutions. "This designation will help streamline discussions around regulatory requirements at our pre-BLA meeting with FDA next month. We look forward to discussing our supplemental application for the expanded indication of post-exposure prophylaxis and the role of BioThrax in the treatment of inhalation anthrax."
BioThrax, the only FDA-licensed vaccine to prevent anthrax disease, is currently licensed for a pre-exposure prophylaxis indication. Emergent recently announced completion of a non-interference study, results from which will be used to support a supplemental BLA seeking licensure of a PEP indication for BioThrax to be used in combination with antibiotics in people with suspected or confirmed exposure to anthrax spores. This study is fully funded under contract number HHSO100200700037C provided by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
About Emergent BioSolutions
Emergent BioSolutions is a specialty pharmaceutical company seeking to protect and enhance life by offering specialized products to healthcare providers and governments to address medical needs and emerging health threats. Additional information may be found at www.emergentbiosolutions.com. Follow us on twitter: @emergentbiosolu.
About BioThrax
BioThrax is the only FDA-licensed vaccine for the prevention of anthrax disease. It is indicated for the active immunization of adults who are at high risk of exposure to anthrax. The safety and efficacy of BioThrax in a post-exposure setting have not been established. Individuals are not considered protected until they have completed the three-dose primary immunization series. Vaccination with BioThrax may not protect all individuals.
BioThrax is manufactured from a culture filtrate, made from a non-virulent strain of Bacillus anthracis. To date, Emergent has delivered over 66 million doses of BioThrax to the U.S. government and continues to deliver additional doses under active procurement contracts. Since 1998, over 12 million doses have been administered to more than 3 million military personnel. For full prescribing information, please visit http://www.biothrax.com/prescribinginformation_biothrax_us.pdf.
BioThrax(R) and any and all Emergent BioSolutions Inc. brand, product, service and feature names, logos and slogans are trademarks or registered trademarks of Emergent BioSolutions Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States or other countries. All rights reserved.
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CONTACT: Emergent BioSolutions Inc.
Investors:
Robert G. Burrows, 301-795-1877
Vice President, Investor Relations
or
Media:
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Vice President, Global Public Affairs and Corporate Responsibility
SOURCE: Emergent BioSolutions Inc.
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