Emergent BioSolutions CEO Talks Coronavirus Vaccine Development

Global life sciences company Emergent Biosolutions Inc EBS CEO Bob Kramer said Thursday that his company's partnership with Novavax, Inc. NVAX could result in the creation of a therapy that poses a "fairly low risk."

Emergent Has Past Experience With Anthrax, Botulism

Emergent is using its own platform to help Novavax with the creation of a coronavirus vaccine, Kramer said during a guest appearance on CNBC's "Squawk Box" segment Thursday morning. 

Emergent's products have been used in therapies to protect against anthrax and botulism, the CEO said, adding there is a "high probability" that a patient-ready vaccine could be in use "later this summer.

"We have been doing this for 22 years as a business, in fact that is all we do — focus on public health threats," he said.

Emergent's 'Decades Of Experience' 

Emergent is looking at alternative options for patients to obtain a vaccine prior to the summer months, Kramer said. 

The encouraging takeaway is that any product will have the company's "decades of experience" and management behind it, giving the CEO a high degree of confidence, he said. 

No 'Immediate Help' For Coronavirus 

Kramer said there is the possibility of working with multiple regulatory bodies to make a vaccine available earlier through an emergency use authorization or a compassionate use exception.

Outside of BioSolutions and Novavax, Kramer said therapeutic options from other companies can be made available in a "similar timeline," but there isn't much to expect in terms of "immediate help."

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