On March 23, 2026, Just – Evotec Biologics announced its selection by the U.S. Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) to advance the manufacturing optimization of a monoclonal antibody cocktail targeting filovirus diseases, including Ebola virus (EBOV) and Sudan virus (SUDV).
Key strategic objectives of the award:
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Contract Value and Scope: The multi-year program is valued at up to $10 million. This funding is part of BARDA’s broader mission to strengthen medical countermeasures and the U.S. government’s response capabilities to high-consequence viral threats.
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Addressing Unmet Medical Needs: While treatments exist for Ebola, there are currently no approved therapies for infections caused by the Sudan virus (SUDV). This project aims to bridge that critical gap in therapeutic availability.
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Advanced Biomanufacturing Platforms: Just – Evotec will leverage its validated technology platforms for molecular optimization, cell line development, and process engineering for two specific antibodies. These were originally identified in survivors of the 2014 Ebola outbreak.
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Focus on Speed and Scalability: The core mission is to convert scientific discoveries into high-yield, cost-efficient, and scalable manufacturing processes. This ensures the biopharmaceutical infrastructure is ready for rapid deployment during public health emergencies.
This project is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), underscoring the vital role of CDMOs in maintaining national health security.