Emergent BioSolutions snapped higher early Friday after the Food And Drug Administration (FDA) approved a supplemental application to expand the license for an existing smallpox vaccine to include Mpox, the viral illness previously known as monkeypox.
The biotech firm announced late Thursday federal regulators signed off on the company expanding the use of its smallpox vaccine, ACAM2000, to include the prevention of Mpox in individuals determined to be at high risk of infection.
Emergent BioSolutions stock jumped 15% during premarket action on Friday. On Thursday, EBS shares closed at 8.91.
The World Health Organization earlier in August declared the Mpox outbreak a public-health emergency, with a potential new strain of the virus spreading from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Mpox, which had been widely known as monkeypox, was first identified in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2023.
Mpox is related to the virus which causes smallpox, according to researchers.
Emergent BioSolutions reported that its vaccine was found to be effective at "protecting against Mpox virus exposure" in "previously available" human safety data and "data from a well-controlled animal study."
The ACAM2000 vaccine was first approved by the FDA in 2007 for the prevention of smallpox disease.
"Emergent is poised to support the global response needed by actively engaging with world health leaders, as well as deploying product currently available in inventory based on the needs, as well as the ability to increase supply," Chief Executive Joe Papa said in the announcement.
EBS stock has a 58 Composite Rating out of a best-possible 99. Shares also have a 99 Relative Strength Rating and a 22 EPS Rating.
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