Emergent BioSolutions Releases New Survey Findings Revealing Heightened Concerns About Biological Threats and U.S. Preparedness

Rhea-AI Summary

Emergent BioSolutions (NYSE: EBS) released a survey of ~250 U.S. policy opinion leaders on Oct 28, 2025 showing heightened concern about biological threats and U.S. preparedness.

Key findings: 65% say the likelihood of a biological attack is rising, 45% say the U.S. is unprepared, 73% believe a biological attack would be easier to carry out than a nuclear one, and nearly 90% support continued U.S. leadership and government backing for biotech/biodefense. Emergent highlighted its >25 years of countermeasure experience and North American BSL‑2/3 manufacturing capabilities for anthrax, botulism, smallpox and viral hemorrhagic fevers.

Positive

• 65% of policy leaders see rising biological-attack risk
• 73% say biological attacks are easier than nuclear ones
• Company cites >25 years developing countermeasures
• North American BSL-2 and BSL-3 clinical and commercial manufacturing

Negative

• 45% of policy leaders say the U.S. is unprepared for a biological attack
• Emerging CNS-acting chemicals and biotoxins represent ongoing security challenges
• Production of medical countermeasures requires specialized manufacturing capabilities

Policy opinion leaders believe a biological attack is both more likely and easier to execute than a nuclear strike, highlighting concerns around bioterrorism and the nation’s readiness to respond

GAITHERSBURG, Md., Oct. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE: EBS) today announced the results of a new survey¹ of approximately 250 U.S. policy opinion leaders showing that nearly two-thirds (65 percent) of respondents agree the likelihood of a biological attack on U.S. soil is rising, yet almost half (45 percent) believe the U.S. is unprepared for a biological attack. Conducted by Penta Group on behalf of Emergent, the survey amplifies findings in the unclassified 2025 Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community which highlights continued, serious concerns that adversarial nations possess biological and chemical weapons and that additional countries are continuing their research and development of chemical, biological, and pharmaceutical-based agents.²

“The risk of bio attacks in the U.S. and around the world is significant, and perhaps even more dangerous than nuclear weapons, given the relative low cost and overall ease to produce, especially today with the enabler of artificial intelligence,” said Hon. Andy Weber, Senior Fellow at the Council on Strategic Risk and former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Defense Programs. “To meet today’s threat we need robust surveillance, stockpiles of PPE and medical countermeasures, and established partnerships to rapidly develop, produce, and deliver vaccines and medicines to address bioengineered or novel threats.”

Despite the establishment of international treaties such as the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC), emerging threats posed by non-traditional agents, particularly central nervous system (CNS)-acting chemicals and biotoxins, present ongoing challenges to international security.³ Foreign adversary research on pharmaceutical based agents is known to include the development and autonomous deployment of highly potent, weaponized synthetic opioids, like aerosolized fentanyl and medetomidine.⁴ Aerosolized fentanyl caused the death of 130 civilians during the Dubrovka Theater attack in Moscow 2002.

Additionally, from the new survey, policy opinion leaders also see biological threats as a top national security concern, outpacing concerns over nuclear threats. Of note:

• Nearly two-thirds (65 percent) of policy opinion leaders surveyed agree the likelihood of a biological attack is rising in the U.S., compared to 60 percent who say the same for nuclear threats.
• A strong majority (73 percent) believe a biological attack would be easier to carry out than a nuclear one (27 percent).
• When asked which is more likely to occur, almost half (46 percent) identify a biological attack as the more likely event, versus 29 percent citing nuclear.
• Nearly 9 in 10 surveyed believe in the need for the U.S. to maintain global leadership in researching and developing medicines for known biological threats, and to continue government support of the biotech and biodefense industries.

“When it comes to biological threats, preparedness can be a deterrent. Strong public-private partnerships can enable rapid response in the event of an attack and should remain a national security priority,” said Joe Papa, president and CEO of Emergent. “With over 25 years of experience developing, manufacturing and delivering medical countermeasures for known bioterrorist threats like anthrax and smallpox, Emergent is well positioned and poised to continue to support U.S. preparedness efforts through our North American capabilities and USMCA-compliant facilities.”

Emergent’s portfolio of products addresses four Category A biological agents: Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis), Botulism (Clostridium botulinum toxin), Smallpox (variola major) and Viral hemorrhagic fevers (filoviruses, e.g. Ebola).⁵ This classification by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates agents that are considered the highest risk for a biological attack due to potential ease of dissemination and high mortality rates. Despite the ease of dissemination, manufacturing medical countermeasures to protect against and treat potential disease from these infectious agents and toxins requires specialized manufacturing capabilities. Through its North American manufacturing network, Emergent has both clinical and commercial Biosafety Level 2 and Level 3 manufacturing capabilities.

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.

Investor Contact:
Richard S. Lindahl
Executive Vice President, CFO
lindahlr@ebsi.com

Media Contact:
Assal Hellmer
Vice President, Communications
mediarelations@ebsi.com

¹Penta Group surveyed 252 policy opinion leaders between October 10, 2025 - October 16, 2025. Policy opinion leaders were defined as “highly informed and influential individuals deeply attuned to political and policy developments” and included government affairs executives, policy commentators and advocacy leaders who follow and potentially inform relevant policy discourse. The survey was designed to include a nationally representative sample; results from the survey have a sampling margin of error of +/-6.1 percentage points and represent a mix of demographics such as age, gender, region, and income. Data on file.

²Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community. Available at: https://www.dni.gov/files/ODNI/documents/assessments/ATA-2025-Unclassified-Report.pdf. Accessed: October 21, 2025.

³Repilado-Álvarez A, Guerra Guirao JA, Cuadrado Berrocal I, et al. Threat of non-traditional agents: a new frontier in chemical weapons concerns? BMJ Mil Health. Available at: https://militaryhealth.bmj.com/content/early/2025/08/24/military-2025-003101. Accessed: October 21, 2025.

⁴Institute for Science and International Security. The Islamic Republic’s Work on Pharmaceutical Based Agents. Available at: https://isis-online.org/isis-reports/the-islamic-republics-work-on-pharmaceutical-based-agents/. Accessed: October 21, 2025.

⁵Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Category A and B Biological Agents. Available at: https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/138996/cdc_138996_DS1.pdf. Accessed: October 21, 2025.

FAQ

What did the Oct 28, 2025 Emergent (EBS) survey find about biological-attack risk?

The survey of ~250 policy leaders found 65% believe biological-attack likelihood is rising and 45% say the U.S. is unprepared.

How do policy leaders compare biological threats to nuclear threats in the EBS survey?

73% of respondents said a biological attack would be easier to carry out than a nuclear one; 65% saw rising biological risk vs 60% for nuclear.

What capabilities does Emergent (EBS) highlight in its Oct 28, 2025 release?

Emergent cites >25 years developing medical countermeasures and North American BSL-2 and BSL-3 manufacturing for anthrax, botulism, smallpox and filoviruses.

Does the Emergent (EBS) survey indicate support for government biodefense funding?

Yes—nearly 9 in 10 respondents support U.S. leadership and continued government backing for biotech and biodefense industries.

What specific emerging threats does the Oct 28, 2025 announcement cite?

The release highlights non-traditional agents including CNS-acting chemicals, biotoxins, and weaponized synthetic opioids like aerosolized fentanyl.

How might the Oct 28, 2025 findings affect Emergent (EBS) strategically?

The survey underscores demand for biodefense preparedness and could support continued government engagement with companies that have specialized countermeasure manufacturing.