Emergent BioSolutions and PANTHER Announce Agreement to Support the Continuation of the Africa CDC-led MpOx Study in Africa
Rhea-AI Summary
Emergent BioSolutions (NYSE: EBS) agreed to provide additional financial support to continue the Africa CDC-led MpOx Study in Africa (MOSA), a double-blind, platform-adaptive clinical trial launched in 2024 to evaluate treatments for mpox.
An independent data and safety monitoring board completed an initial safety review in December 2025 after 50 patients were randomized and recommended continuation with no safety concerns identified. Africa CDC and PANTHER plan to extend MOSA to additional countries, including a site in Uganda, and enroll more patients toward the next milestone.
The release notes there is currently no dedicated antiviral therapy for mpox and cites Africa CDC case totals of 61,383 confirmed cases and 296 deaths across 32 countries since 2024.
Positive
- DSMB recommended trial continuation after initial 50 patients, no safety concerns
- Emergent (NYSE: EBS) committed additional financial support to sustain MOSA
- MOSA to expand to new countries, including a planned site in Uganda
Negative
- None.
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, EBS declined 3.88%, reflecting a moderate negative market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
EBS gained 5.7% while key peers were mixed: KMDA -2.12%, EOLS -5.03%, ETON -0.78%, versus modest gains in CGC +0.85% and SIGA +1.48%. This pattern points to a stock‑specific reaction to the mpox study news rather than a broad sector move.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 12 | FDA manufacturing approval | Positive | -2.6% | FDA approved Winnipeg site for raxibacumab drug product manufacturing. |
| Nov 18 | Product anniversary | Positive | +0.2% | Marked 10-year NARCAN approval and reiterated commitment to naloxone access. |
| Nov 12 | Board retirement | Neutral | -4.5% | Announced retirement of long-serving director Louis W. Sullivan. |
| Oct 29 | Earnings results | Positive | -0.7% | Q3 2025 beat guidance and raised full-year outlook but shares dipped slightly. |
| Oct 28 | Biothreat survey | Positive | -2.3% | Released survey showing heightened concern about biological threats and preparedness. |
Recent history shows several positive or strategic updates (FDA approval, earnings beat) that were followed by flat or negative price reactions, indicating a tendency for the stock to underreact or fade on good news.
Over the last few months, EBS reported multiple notable events. On Oct 29, 2025, Q3 2025 revenue of $231.1M beat guidance by $21.0M with net income of $51.2M and adjusted EBITDA of $87.8M, yet the stock slipped modestly. An Oct 28, 2025 survey highlighted that 65% of U.S. policy leaders see rising biological-attack risk. The company also announced an FDA approval for raxibacumab manufacturing on Dec 12, 2025. Against this backdrop, today’s Africa CDC mpox study support underscores its ongoing biodefense and global health focus.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlights Emergent’s added financial backing for the Africa CDC-led Mpox Study in Africa, a double-blind, platform-adaptive trial launched in 2024. A DSMB review after the first 50 patients raised no safety concerns, and the study aims to expand into more countries. With more than 61,383 mpox cases and 296 deaths across 32 African nations, investors may watch for future data readouts and any indication of commercial or strategic follow-on opportunities.
Key Terms
double-blind medical
platform-adaptive medical
clinical trial medical
data and safety monitoring board (DSMB) medical
clade medical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
GAITHERSBURG, Md. and PARIS and ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, Jan. 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today Emergent BioSolutions (NYSE: EBS) announced a collaboration agreement with PANTHER to provide additional financial support to continue progressing the Africa CDC-led ‘MpOx Study in Africa’ (MOSA). This initiative aims to advance research into effective treatments for patients diagnosed with mpox, a virus for which there is currently no dedicated antiviral therapy. Launched in 2024, MOSA is a double-blind, platform-adaptive clinical trial designed to evaluate potential treatment options for mpox across multiple African countries. The study initially received funding from the European Union and Africa CDC.
An independent data and safety monitoring board (DSMB) completed its initial review of MOSA safety data in December 2025 after the first 50 patients were randomised and recommended continuation of the trial, with no safety concerns identified.
“We applaud Africa CDC, the Democratic Republic of Congo investigators, and PANTHER for their efforts in reaching this important milestone and are proud to support the advancement of the MOSA trial,” said Simon Lowry, M.D., chief medical officer, head of research and development, Emergent. “Emergent is committed to collaborating with research partners around the world to study medications that address global health threats.”
As the study continues, Africa CDC and PANTHER intend to extend the study to new countries, including a site in Uganda, and enroll patients to reach the next milestone.
“This study represents a critical step in generating evidence to inform mpox treatment and strengthen Africa’s capacity to respond to emerging health threats," said Africa CDC Director General, Dr Jean Kaseya. "Africa CDC will continue working closely with partners whose collaboration and support are essential in advancing research and improving preparedness across the continent.”
Since the beginning of 2024, the continent has reported more than 61,383 confirmed cases and 296 deaths across 32 countries, according to Africa CDC. Africa has both major mpox clades, Clade I, which is endemic to Central Africa and causes more severe illness, and Clade II, which is more prevalent in West Africa; recent outbreaks have featured subclades like Clade Ia, Ib, and Clade IIa and IIb.
About Emergent BioSolutions
At Emergent, our mission is to protect and save lives. For over 25 years, we’ve been at work preparing those entrusted with protecting public health. We deliver protective and life-saving solutions for health threats like smallpox, mpox, botulism, Ebola, anthrax, and opioid overdose emergencies. To learn more about how we help prepare communities around the world for today’s health challenges and tomorrow’s threats, visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
About the Pandemic Preparedness Platform for Health and Emerging Infections Response (PANTHER)
PANTHER is an African-led pandemic preparedness platform for health and emerging infection response. Bringing together leading African and global researchers and public health teams, it aims to create regional hubs and clinical research platforms to support preparedness and rapid response to emerging infectious diseases globally, particularly in Africa. For more information, visit https://pantherhealth.org.
PANTHER is sponsoring MOSA as part of the MPX-RESPONSE Project that has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation programme under grant agreement 101115188.
About Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC)
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is a public health agency of the African Union. It is autonomous and supports member states in strengthening health systems. It also helps improve disease surveillance, emergency response, and disease control. Learn more at: Africa CDC and connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.
Investor Contact:
Richard S. Lindahl
Executive Vice President, CFO, Emergent
lindahlr@ebsi.com
Media Contacts:
Assal Hellmer
Vice President, Communications, Emergent
mediarelations@ebsi.com
Jessica Ilunga
Communications Officer, PANTHER
media@pantherhealth.org
Margaret Edwin
Director of Communication and Public Information Africa CDC
EdwinM@africacdc.org