Emergent's anthrax treatment gets FDA nod

FDA approved a BLA for Anthrasil anthrax immune globulin IV (AIGIV) from Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE:EBS) to treat inhaled anthrax. The drug, developed using plasma collected from healthy donors vaccinated with the company's BioThrax, has Fast Track and Orphan Drug status from FDA.

Emergent gained rights to the product through its acquisition of Cangene Corp. last year. Anthrasil is being developed under a $160 million contract, awarded in 2005, with HHS's Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). FDA's approval triggers a $7 million milestone payment to Emergent from BARDA. ...