Emergent BioSolutions is a Maryland-based biotechnology company that develops and manufactures healthcare solutions. It manufactures products, platforms, and other technologies to address public health threats. Its therapies have been used in the past for illnesses such as anthrax and botulism.
In 2020, Emergent BioSolutions partnered with Vaxart, a biotechnology company, to aid with developing and manufacturing Vaxart’s experimental oral vaccine candidate for COVID-19. The company is expected to produce a bulk quantity of the vaccine so that Vaxart can initiate its pre-clinical studies.
Emergent BioSolutions also partnered with Novavax, Inc. to develop and manufacture a COVID-19 vaccine candidate. According to the press release announcing the collaboration, announced in mid-March 2020, "Emergent will produce the COVID-19 experimental vaccine candidate, which is based on the proprietary recombinant protein nanoparticle technology platform of Novavax and utilizing their proprietary Matrix-M™ adjuvant to enhance immune responses. Emergent has initiated work for this program anticipating that the COVID-19 experimental vaccine candidate will be used in a Phase 1 clinical study within the next four months."
Emergent BioSolutions has partnered with the US government to expedite the development of a plasma-derived therapy, COVID-Human Immune Globulin (COVID-HIG) for severe hospitalized and high-risk patients to prevent progression to severe symptoms. The company received $14.5 million form BARDA in support of the program. COVID-HIG is a candidate human hyperimmune product, polyclonal antibody therapeutics, that will be manufactured using plasma donated from people who recovered from COVID-19 and have antibodies to SARS-CoV-2.
Timeline
Funding rounds
Products
The Reactive Skin Decontamination Lotion (RSDL) Kit is an FDA-cleared device consisting of a lotion impregnated sponge in an easy-to-open packet. The RSDL Kit is intended to remove or neutralize chemical warfare agents and T-2 Toxin from the skin.
People
Bob Kramer
CEO
Further reading
Emergent BioSolutions Signs Development and Manufacturing Agreement With Novavax for Experimental Vaccine Candidate for Coronavirus Disease | Emergent BioSolutions Inc.
Emergent BioSolutions
Web
March 10, 2020
Emergent Biosolutions, Inc. (NYSE:EBS), Novavax, Inc. (NASDAQ:NVAX) - Emergent BioSolutions CEO Talks ...
Jayson Derrick
Web
March 12, 2020
Vaxart Announces It Entered Into An Agreement With Emergent Biosolutions For The Development And Manufacturing Of Oral Coronavirus (Covid-19) Vaccine Candidate
BioSpace
Web
March 18, 2020
Documentaries, videos and podcasts
Emergent BioSolutions, Eyeing Two Plasma Therapies for Covid-19, Wins Fed's Help
April 5, 2020