The options are for the freeze-dried version of Bavarian Nordic’s Jynneos, a formulation that allows easier stockpiling.
Amid a US measles outbreak the US government has placed a $143.6m order for Bavarian Nordic’s smallpox/mpox jab Jynneos to bolster its infectious disease preparedness.
The order is part of a ten-year contract awarded to vaccine-developer Bavarian Nordic by the US government’s Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). The agreement between the pair includes options valued at $299m for the fill and finish of freeze-dried vaccines. Deliveries under the new contract options are planned for 2026.
The additional options exercised by BARDA support the manufacturing and supply of freeze-dried Jynneos by conversion of bulk vaccine, as well as supplemental payments for all doses procured under the freeze-dried contract. The latter was triggered after the freeze-dried formulation’s extended shelf life was demonstrated.