As monkeypox cases are investigated in North America and Europe, Bavarian Nordic A/S (OMX:BAVA) has secured a contract worth potentially $119 million with Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) to convert bulk vaccine into freeze-dried doses of Jynneos vaccine.
Jynneos was FDA approved for both smallpox and monkeypox in 2019.
Smallpox and monkeypox are broadly similar with the latter causing lymph nodes swelling while the former does not. Smallpox and monkeypox are broadly similar with the latter causing lymph nodes swelling while the former does not. Monkeypox also tends to be milder.
BARDA has additional options to convert up to roughly 13 million freeze-dried doses of the Jynneos vaccine that would likely be manufactured in 2024 and 2025.
BAVA shares have surged in recent days. Today, it rose 18.4% to 216.60 DKK. In the past five days, the stock has increased 63.6%.
Monkeypox remains extremely rare in the U.S., CDC notes.
Bavarian Nordic notes that the majority of bulk vaccine for the doses has been manufactured and invoiced.
The company’s freeze-drying process plant in Kvistgård, Denmark has been FDA inspected in 2022 and would lead manufacturing of the Jynneos vaccine.
The company aims to win approval for the freeze-dried Jynneos vaccine in 2024.
“We are pleased to announce the exercise of the first options under our contract with the U.S. government to deliver a freeze-dried version of the smallpox vaccine with an improved shelf-life, which will be manufactured at our new fill and finish facility,” said Paul Chaplin, president and CEO of Bavarian Nordic, in a news release. “This marks a significant milestone in our long-standing partnership with the U.S. government to ensure availability of life-saving vaccines for the entire population.”
Bavarian Nordic has collaborated with the U.S. government on establishing a supply of non-replicating smallpox vaccine since 2003.
The company has provided the U.S. with almost 30 million doses of the liquid-frozen version of the vaccine.
The vaccine is administered in two doses spaced four weeks apart.