Emergent BioSolutions Inc., headquartered in Gaithersburg, Maryland, announced on September 1, 2026 a contract modification valued at approximately $24 million for CYFENDUS® (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed, Adjuvanted) from the U.S. government. Paul Williams, senior vice president, head of products business, global government & public affairs at Emergent, said: “This newly executed CYFENDUS® contract modification with the U.S. government highlights the continued importance of maintaining readiness against anthrax threats. Emergent remains committed to ensuring access to CYFENDUS® and strengthening preparedness through reliable domestic manufacturing and supply.”
What CYFENDUS® Does and Who’s Buying It
The modification was awarded by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) within HHS, and modifies an existing BARDA agreement dating to 2016 (Contract No. HHSO100201600030C); the release does not disclose dose quantities or the underlying contract’s total cumulative value. CYFENDUS® is a two-dose anthrax vaccine, FDA-approved in July 2023, used for post-exposure prophylaxis in individuals ages 18 to 65 when administered alongside recommended antibacterial drugs. The release also cites a recent NEJM Evidence study by Tillman et al. examining CYFENDUS® ‘s use for post-exposure prophylaxis following anthrax exposures in Wyoming, which Emergent says reinforces the importance of maintaining preparedness capabilities against the threat.
Please see the Prescribing Information for CYFENDUS® for full safety information.
Part of a Broader Biodefense Supply Relationship
The release ties this award to Emergent’s wider anthrax preparedness work with the government, noting that earlier this year the company announced a delivery order valued at up to $21.5 million to supply BioThrax® (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed) — a related anthrax vaccine with the same active ingredient as CYFENDUS® — to the U.S. Department of War. Separately, Emergent has also announced other 2026 contract modifications from ASPR covering its ACAM2000 smallpox and mpox vaccine (a $52.7 million modification in June) and its BAT botulism antitoxin (a $64.5 million modification in May), though those awards were announced independently of this CYFENDUS® release. Emergent describes its mission as protecting against health threats including smallpox, mpox, botulism, Ebola, anthrax, and opioid overdose emergencies.
About Emergent BioSolutions
At Emergent, our mission is to protect and save lives. For over 25 years, we’ve been at work preparing those entrusted with protecting public health. We deliver protective and life-saving solutions for health threats like smallpox, mpox, botulism, Ebola, anthrax and opioid overdose emergencies.
Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Gaithersburg, Maryland, Emergent BioSolutions (NYSE: EBS) is a global biodefense company that develops, manufactures, and supplies medical countermeasures for the U.S. Strategic National Stockpile and allied governments. Its portfolio spans vaccines and antibody therapeutics for biological threats — including CYFENDUS® and BioThrax® for anthrax, ACAM2000® for smallpox and mpox, BAT® for botulism, Ebanga® for Ebola, and TEMBEXA® for smallpox treatment — alongside its commercial NARCAN® and KLOXXADO® nasal spray products for opioid overdose emergencies. The company also provides contract development and manufacturing services, offering molecule-to-market support from drug development through final product packaging.
