Just – Evotec Biologics, Inc. has been selected by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Preparedness Consortium (BioMaP-Consortium) to advance manufacturing optimization for a monoclonal antibody cocktail targeting filovirus diseases, including Ebola virus (EBOV) and Sudan virus (SUDV).

The multi-year program award, valued at up to $10 million if all options are activated, aims to support BARDA’s efforts to support the development of medical countermeasures that can augment the U.S. government’s response capabilities with therapeutics targeting filovirus diseases. The agreement has a base period and two option periods. While two FDA approved therapeutics are currently available for Ebola Virus Disease, no approved treatments exist for infections caused by SUDV.

Linda Zuckerman, PhD, EVP Global Head of Biotherapeutics at Just – Evotec Biologics commented: “In outbreak scenarios, speed, scalability and manufacturing robustness are critical. Our technology-driven approach is designed to deliver resilient, industry-leading high-yield production processes that can support rapid deployment in public health emergencies.”

Just – Evotec Biologics will use its validated technology platforms to perform molecular optimization, cell line development, and manufacturing process development for two antibodies. These antibodies, originally identified in survivors of the 2014 Ebola outbreak, represent aspects of an immune response that may have protected infected individuals. Just – Evotec Biologics will apply its platform technologies to convert these discoveries into high-yield, scalable and cost-efficient manufacturing processes capable of supporting future therapeutic development and emergency deployment.

This project has been funded in whole or in part with federal funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR); BARDA, under OT number #75A50123D00003.