U.S. Government Issues Contract Worth Up to $680 Million for Tembexa

The U.S. government has inked a 10-year contract with Chimerix valued at up to $680 million to stockpile its antiviral drug Tembexa (brincidofovir) for use in a smallpox emergency.

The contract, which was awarded by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) gives the U.S. government the option to order up to 1.7 million treatment courses of tablet and suspension formulations. The initial order is for 319,000 treatment courses for approximately $115 million.

The FDA approved Tembexa in June 2021 for treatment of smallpox. The disease has been considered eradicated in the U.S. since 1980, although it appears to be making a comeback in some regions. The virus that causes smallpox is also considered a potential bioweapon.