Contract Management DOD's Anthrax Vaccine Manufacturer Will Continue to Need Financial Assistance

摘要

Last year, DOD provided BioPort extraordinary contractual relief so that the company would have sufficient operating capital to preclude disrupting, and possibly ending, the anthrax vaccine program. Among other things, DOD substantially increased the original contract price and provided an interest- free advance payment to BioPort of $18.7 million. In providing the relief, DOD assumed FDA would approve the company S vaccine production processes in its renovated facilities by the end of 1999. However, in November 1999, FDA reviewed the company's manufacturing processes and identified numerous deficiencies. According to DOD officials, BioPort is now not expected to obtain FDA's approval until the end of this year. The delay in obtaining FDA approval has caused BioPort to experience continuing financial problems.