Replies to post #56481 on Avid Bioservices Inc (CDMO)

[cheynew]

So whoever bought 81K shares at the open Friday surely didn't know about this extension?

[honestabe13]

that news release is not reassuring at all.

[Thurly]

Our initial contract was for Lassa and Junin, I believe. This press release specifies "New studies will evaluate bavituximab in CDC Category A VHF viruses." Category A also includes Marburg and Ebola.

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/RR/RR4904.pdf

BOX 3. Critical biological agents
Category A
The U.S. public health system and primary health-care providers must be
prepared to address varied biological agents, including pathogens that are rarely
seen in the United States. High-priority agents include organisms that pose a risk
to national security because they

can be easily disseminated or transmitted person-to-person;

cause high mortality, with potential for major public health impact;

might cause public panic and social disruption; and

require special action for public health preparedness (Box 2).
Category A agents include

variola major (smallpox);

Bacillus anthracis (anthrax);

Yersinia pestis (plague);

Clostridium botulinum toxin (botulism);

Francisella tularensis (tularaemia);

filoviruses,
— Ebola hemorrhagic fever,
— Marburg hemorrhagic fever; and

arenaviruses,
— Lassa (Lassa fever),
— Junin (Argentine hemorrhagic fever) and related viruses.
health-care agencies must have enhanced capacity to investigate unusual events and
unexplained illnesses, and diagnostic laboratories must be equipped to identify biological
and chemical agents that rarely are seen in the United States. Fundamental to these
efforts is comprehensive, integrated training designed to ensure core competency in
public health preparedness and the highest levels of scientific expertise among local,
state, and federal partners.
BOX 2. Preparing public health agencies for biological attacks

Could this be about expanding the number of viruses that they are testing beyond the arenaviruses (Lassa, Junin) to include the filoviruses (Marburg, Ebloa)? Bavi should be able to address all of the viruses since they are all enveloped -- perfect for a defense program that is looking for "one drug, many bugs."

The size of the contract seems to have gotten smaller, though: The base period now provides for up to $24.7 million in funding for a total of up to $36.3 million in funding for the duration of the contract. Before it was worth up to $44.5 million.