Emergent BioSolutions is a biopharmaceutical manufacturer of vaccines and therapeutics in the biodefense business for use against bioterrorism and biowarfare.

The Department of Health and Human Services, working with the Department of Defense as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 21, announced the reaffirmation of its contract to purchase Emergent BioSolutions' BioThrax anthrax Vaccine.

The HHS contract is for 18.75 million doses for $400 million plus an additional $34 million upon receipt of regulatory approval.

"We are pleased that HHS has reaffirmed its commitment to the continued procurement of BioThrax under our recent contract, and we are confident that BioThrax will remain a critical component of our nation's preparedness efforts," Fuad El-Hibri, Emergent BioSolutions chief executive officer and chairman, said in a statement. "Emergent BioSolutions looks forward to continuing our longstanding relationship with the U.S. government to protect our military men and women as well as Americans at home.

"The HHS contract provides us with a baseline of revenue sufficient to support the growth and profitability of our company in 2008 and 2009, and we intend to expand our revenue sources, including with the Department of Defense, other domestic customers, and internationally with foreign governments based on projects we have been actively pursuing while remaining fiscally responsible in the management of our operations."