Emergent BioSolutions (NYSE: EBS) will further develop a licensed drug against Ebola under a potential 10-year, $704 million contract from the Department of Health and Human Services.
Development services on Ebanga under the contract are valued at $121 million and the award includes a five-year option worth $583 million for the U.S. government to procure the monoclonal antibody product, Emergent said Monday.
The biopharmaceutical company will use the federal funds to scale up its manufacturing process, apply for a supplemental biologics license with the Food and Drug Administration and complete stability research.
Ebanga, developed by Ridgeback Biotherapeutics through a National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases license, is given via a single infusion to exhibit antiviral activity.
HHS’ Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority previously awarded funds for the developer to put its anti-Ebola product through late-stage production and regulatory activities.
The FDA cleared Ebanga in December 2020.
