BARDA cancels PharmAthene's RFP for Recombinant Protective Antigen Anthrax Vaccine

Dec 8 2009

PharmAthene, Inc. (NYSE Amex: PIP) a biodefense company specializing in the development and commercialization of medical countermeasures against chemical and biological threats, announced today that the Department of Health and Human Services Biomedical Research and Development Authority (BARDA) has canceled its request for proposal (RFP) for Recombinant Protective Antigen Anthrax Vaccine for the Strategic National Stockpile (RFP BARDA 08-15).

PharmAthene was informed of BARDA's decision during a meeting late Monday afternoon with BARDA representatives. BARDA issued a press release after the close of the securities markets announcing that it will cancel RFP BARDA 08-15 because it did not believe vaccine developers submitting proposals in response to the request for proposal (RFP) could have product ready for FDA licensure within 8 years. BARDA further announced that instead of re-issuing an RFP, it will request that existing anthrax "vaccine developers submit product development plans under special instructions to an existing broad agency announcement (BAA-BARDA-09-34) that supports the development of medical countermeasures for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats." Dr. Robin Robinson, BARDA Director, stated in the press release, "We believe the broad agency announcement and the flexibilities it provides are well adapted to the further development of these products. Anthrax preparedness remains one of our highest priorities so we will continue to address this threat using all of the authorities and resources at our disposal."

"While we are disappointed by today's news, we remain encouraged by BARDA's continued support for the development of a second generation anthrax vaccine," remarked David P. Wright, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We will continue to work with BARDA to determine how to provide a next generation anthrax vaccine to the American public in the shortest period of time. PharmAthene's rPA program will continue to advance under our existing development contract with BARDA, which was transferred from NIH on April 1, 2009."