GAITHERSBURG, Md., Oct. 06, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE:EBS) announced today that it has completed its acquisition of Sanofi’s ACAM2000®, (Smallpox (Vaccinia) Vaccine, Live) business, which includes ACAM2000, the only smallpox vaccine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a cGMP live viral manufacturing facility and office and warehouse space, both in Canton, Massachusetts, and a cGMP viral fill/finish facility in Rockville, Maryland. With this acquisition, Emergent also plans to assume responsibility for an existing 10-year contract with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), originally valued at up to $425 million and with a remaining value of up to approximately $160 million, for the delivery of ACAM2000 to the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) and establishing U.S.-based manufacturing of ACAM2000. The completion of the acquisition follows the satisfaction or waiver by the parties, as applicable, of all closing conditions, including termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (HSR Act), as amended.
“Emergent is pleased with the closing of this transaction, which expands our portfolio of revenue-generating products, strengthens our manufacturing capabilities, and grows our workforce of talented and committed professionals,” said Daniel J. Abdun-Nabi, president and chief executive officer of Emergent BioSolutions. “We look forward to integrating the ACAM2000 business into our operations and working with the U.S. government to ensure an uninterrupted supply of ACAM2000 to the SNS.”
At the closing, Emergent paid $97.5 million in an upfront payment and $20 million in milestone payments earned as of the closing date tied to the achievement of certain regulatory and manufacturing-related milestones, for a total payment in cash of $117.5 million. The agreement includes a potential milestone payment of up to $7.5 million, tied to the achievement of the remaining regulatory milestone event.
Facility Licensure and Resumption of ACAM2000 Deliveries
With the closing of the transaction, Emergent expects to complete the tech transfer of an upstream portion of ACAM2000 manufacturing to the Canton facility. Fulfillment of all remaining product deliveries under the existing CDC contract is contingent on Emergent successfully securing FDA approval of a recent supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) submission.
The company anticipates resuming deliveries of ACAM2000 under the existing CDC contract in 2018. In addition, the CDC contract will expire and be up for renewal or extension in 2018 and the company intends to negotiate a follow-on, multi-year contract with the U.S. government to ensure the continued supply of ACAM2000 to the SNS.
2017 Financial Forecast
The company will be issuing financial results in early November for the three and nine months ended September 30, at which time it will provide an update on the impact of this transaction on full-year 2017 guidance.
About ACAM2000
ACAM2000 is the primary smallpox vaccine designated for use in a bioterrorism emergency, with more than 230 million doses having been supplied to the U.S. Strategic National Stockpile. ACAM2000 is also licensed in Australia and Singapore, and is currently stockpiled both in the U.S. and internationally.
About Smallpox
Smallpox is a highly contagious disease caused by the variola virus, a member of the Orthopox virus family. According to the CDC, it is one of the most devastating diseases with a mortality rate as high as 30%. Smallpox is classified by the CDC as a Category A bioterrorism agent and the U.S. government continues to invest in countermeasures to protect the nation from this threat. Governments around the world are also taking precautionary measures to be ready to deal with a potential smallpox outbreak.
About Emergent BioSolutions
Emergent BioSolutions Inc. is a global life sciences company seeking to protect and enhance life by focusing on providing specialty products for civilian and military populations that address accidental, intentional, and naturally emerging public health threats. Through our work, we envision protecting and enhancing 50 million lives with our products by 2025. Additional information about the company may be found at www.emergentbiosolutions.com. Follow us @emergentbiosolu.
