Emergent BioSolutions and PANTHER Announce Agreement to Support the Continuation of the Africa CDC-led MpOx Study in Africa
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.
Sentiment and the balance of points
Rhea-AI Sentiment reads the wording of the document, how positive or negative its language is on a 1 to 5 scale. The balance of points shown with the takes weighs what the document actually discloses, so the two can disagree, for example when a trial that missed its main goal is described in upbeat language.
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.
Details
News Market Reaction – EBS
On Jan 8, the day this news came out, EBS closed 3.88% below the previous close.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus for the Jan 8 session.
Key Figures
- Initial randomized patients
- 50 patients
- First safety review of MOSA trial in Dec 2025
- MOSA launch year
- 2024
- Start of double-blind, platform-adaptive mpox trial
- Reported mpox cases
- 61,383 confirmed cases
- Africa-wide mpox cases since beginning of 2024
- Reported mpox deaths
- 296 deaths
- Africa-wide mpox deaths since beginning of 2024
- Countries affected
- 32 countries
- African countries with confirmed mpox cases
Historical Context
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Marked 10-year NARCAN approval and reiterated commitment to naloxone access.
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Announced retirement of long-serving director Louis W. Sullivan.
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Q3 2025 beat guidance and raised full-year outlook but shares dipped slightly.
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Released survey showing heightened concern about biological threats and preparedness.
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Key Terms
double-blind medical
platform-adaptive medical
clinical trial medical
data and safety monitoring board (DSMB) medical
clade medical
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. 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
FAQ
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