VaxGen Wins Contract for Anthrax Vaccine

Vaccine developer VaxGen Inc. said it was awarded an $80.3-million contract from the National Institutes of Health for development of an experimental anthrax vaccine. The three-year contract could pave the way for a significantly larger contract for a national stockpile of anthrax vaccine, the San Diego-based company said.

The company’s shares, which have fallen 31% this year, rose 7 cents to $12.07 on Nasdaq before the contract award was announced.

VaxGen plans to manufacture the protein antigen used in the vaccine in its manufacturing facility in South San Francisco.