Emergent BioSolutions Advances Program Supporting Licensure of a Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Indication for BioThrax
Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE: EBS) today announced that its pivotal
Phase 3 clinical study evaluating the immunogenicity and safety of a
three-dose BioThrax® (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed) regimen for
post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) has been completed and has met its
primary and key secondary endpoints. The company has submitted the final
clinical study report to the Biomedical Advanced Research and
Development Authority (BARDA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) and these results will be used to support an eventual supplemental
Biologics License Application (sBLA) seeking licensure of a PEP
indication for BioThrax. BioThrax is the only FDA-licensed vaccine for
the prevention of anthrax disease. BioThrax is not licensed for use in a
post-exposure setting.
“Emergent’s on-time completion of this study and submission of our
clinical study report represents a key milestone in our BioThrax PEP
development program,” said Adam Havey, executive vice president and
president of Emergent’s biodefense division. “These data represent the
culmination of a multi-year effort aimed at evaluating the use of
BioThrax for PEP. This work is an excellent example of the partnership
between industry and the U.S. Government agencies including BARDA, FDA,
the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”
The Phase 3 open-label clinical study enrolled 200 healthy adult
volunteers and was conducted at four sites within the U.S. Data from
this study will be presented at the International Conference on Bacillus
anthracis, B. cereus, and B. thuringiensis (Bacillus ACT) in
September 2013. This study is fully funded under contract number
HHSO100200700037C provided by BARDA within the Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Preparedness and Response in the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services.
Additionally, data from non-clinical and clinical PEP studies that
preceded the Phase 3 study have been published in the July issue of Clinical
and Vaccine Immunology. The publication describes pre-exposure and
post-exposure vaccine efficacy study data in animal models of anthrax
disease, as well as exploratory clinical vaccine immunogenicity study
data. This is the first comprehensive report of animal and clinical
studies evaluating efficacy and immunogenicity of a vaccine that will
utilize the FDA “Animal Rule” as a pathway to licensure by demonstrating
efficacy in adequate and well-controlled animal models.
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. BioThrax is not licensed for use in
a post-exposure setting. The safety and efficacy of BioThrax have not
been established in pediatric or geriatric populations. 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 11 million doses have been administered to
more than 2.9 million military personnel. For full prescribing
information, please visit http://www.biothrax.com/prescribinginformation_biothrax_us.pdf.
BioThrax® (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed) 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.
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.
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Copyright Business Wire 2013