The Government of Canada Procures IMVAMUNE(R) Smallpox Vaccine for the Country’s Biological Preparedness
KVISTGARD,
Request for Proposal issued in 2007 with the intent to procure an MVA-based,
third generation smallpox vaccine, Public Works and Government Services
Canada, on behalf of the Canadian Department of National Defence, has awarded
a contract to Bavarian Nordic for the delivery of IMVAMUNE(R).
The Canadian authorities intend to use IMVAMUNE(R) as part of the
country’s bio-preparedness programme.
The contract provides for the delivery of 20,000 doses of IMVAMUNE(R) and
payment for the application process to support the use of IMVAMUNE(R) in an
emergency under the Canadian Government’s Special Access Programme. The
delivery will take place in 2009.
The contract also provides for the optional purchase of an additional
180,000 doses of IMVAMUNE(R) as well as payment for investigating the
requirements for obtaining a licensure of the vaccine in
Government of
contract.
The order does not change Bavarian Nordic’s previously announced
financial guidance for 2008.
Smallpox and the need for a new vaccine
Smallpox is the most dangerous infectious disease ever faced by mankind.
Hundreds of millions of people have died from the disease. Today, the
smallpox threat may be encountered in various ways: bio-terrorism,
synthetically manufactured viruses and outbreak from controlled smallpox
stocks.
The old, conventional smallpox vaccines which have been stockpiled around
the world are not suited to current needs. They are not safe and may cause
severe side effects, even death. These vaccines cannot be given to people who
are immune compromised, which constitute approx. 25 % of the population.
IMVAMUNE(R), Bavarian Nordic’s new, third generation smallpox vaccine,
offers a number of unique advantages compared to the old vaccines. The
superior safety profile of IMVAMUNE(R) makes it suitable for vaccination of
those with compromised immunity. Furthermore, the vaccine is easier to
administer and it protects faster than the old vaccines, which is convenient
for use in the general population in the case of an emergency.
According to
the Canadian contract, yet another nation recognizes IMVAMUNE(R) as an
essential part of the its smallpox preparedness. Furthermore Bavarian Nordic
has just received a small follow-up order with the same Asian country under
the same contractual framework as in March. This further demonstrates that
countries are increasingly focused on building and retaining an optimum
biological preparedness against smallpox, the world’s most feared and
dangerous infectious disease. With IMVAMUNE(R) these countries have gained
access to the most innovative smallpox vaccine available.”
About Bavarian Nordic
Bavarian Nordic A/S is a leading industrial biotechnology company
developing and producing novel vaccines for the treatment and prevention of
life-threatening diseases with a large unmet medical need. The company’s
business strategy is focused in three areas: biodefence, cancer and
infectious diseases. Bavarian Nordic’s proprietary and patented technology
MVA-BN(R) is one of the world’s safest, multivalent vaccine vectors. Bavarian
Nordic has ongoing contracts with the U.S. government for the late-stage
development and procurement of the company’s third-generation smallpox
vaccine, IMVAMUNE(R).
Bavarian Nordic is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Copenhagen under the symbol
BAVA.
For more information please visit http://www.bavarian-nordic.com
Forward-looking statements
This announcement includes “forward-looking statements” that involve
risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of our
control that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results
discussed in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements
include statements concerning our plans, objectives, goals, future events,
performance and/or other information that is not historical information. We
undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking
statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances after the date made,
except as required by law.
SOURCE Bavarian Nordic A/S