Emergent BioSolutions (NYSE:EBS) announced its pledge to donate 50,000 doses of its ACAM2000 smallpox vaccine through Direct Relief in response to WHO’s declaration that the upsurge of mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and several other African countries constitutes a public health emergency of international concern.
The mpox virus is part of the same family of viruses as variola virus, the virus that causes smallpox.
Emergent has also responded to the WHO’s invitation for manufacturers of mpox vaccines to submit an Expression of Interest for the assessment of ACAM2000 vaccine to be added as an Emergency Use Listing, a WHO risk-based procedure for assessing and listing unlicensed medical products in various countries. This aims to expedite the availability of these products needed in public health emergency situations, such as the current mpox outbreak.
In a statement, Joseph Papa, president and CEO of Emergent, said, “For years, Emergent has supplied ACAM2000 to the U.S. and allied governments in support of preparedness and stockpiling initiatives. Currently, we have additional product already in inventory, with the ability to increase supply by approximately 40 million doses, if and potentially when, needed. In the meantime, 50,000 doses of ACAM2000 vaccine will be donated to help control the outbreak across the African continent.
