US government signs $56 million deal for smallpox/mpox vaccine
September 10, 2025
Emergent BioSolutions’ $56 million contract extension to supply ACAM2000, a combined smallpox and mpox vaccine, highlights the U.S. government’s continued investment in biodefense preparedness. ACAM2000, first licensed in 2007 for smallpox and expanded in 2024 to cover mpox, joins Jynneos as one of only two FDA-approved vaccines for these threats. The agreement, part of a 10-year contract with ASPR, ensures doses will be delivered to the Strategic National Stockpile. As mpox cases persist globally and smallpox remains a bioterrorism concern, sustained partnerships between government and industry remain essential to bolstering public health readiness against high-consequence viral threats.
Emergent BioSolutions has secured a $56 million contract extension from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) to provide additional doses of ACAM2000, a vaccine authorized for both smallpox and mpox. Deliveries to the Strategic National Stockpile will begin this month, reinforcing the federal government’s long-term preparedness strategy.
ACAM2000 is not new to the stockpile. Approved by the FDA in 2007 for active immunization against smallpox in high-risk individuals, its indication was expanded in 2024 to cover mpox, a viral disease that has surged across parts of Africa and occasionally caused outbreaks elsewhere. Alongside Bavarian Nordic’s Jynneos, ACAM2000 is one of only two FDA-approved vaccines against smallpox and mpox. Unlike Jynneos, which is non-replicating, ACAM2000 is a live replicating vaccine, offering durable protection but requiring careful use due to higher risks for people with compromised immune systems.
The latest contract modification reflects the U.S. government’s recognition of ongoing mpox outbreaks and the enduring security threat posed by smallpox. ASPR’s role in managing the Strategic National Stockpile ensures that countermeasures such as ACAM2000 are readily available in the event of intentional release, resurgence, or uncontrolled outbreaks.
Emergent’s collaboration with ASPR underscores the importance of public-private partnerships in health security. As mpox continues to spread in parts of Africa and sporadic travel-related cases are identified globally, the ability to rapidly deploy vaccines remains critical. While the development of safer next-generation vaccines is ongoing, maintaining stockpiles of established products like ACAM2000 provides a vital safety net.
This contract highlights how preparedness investments, even when the immediate threat may seem diminished, remain essential. In the face of unpredictable outbreaks and potential bioterrorism, readiness is not optional but a core component of national security.