Emergent BioSolutions opened 15% up on Monday: here’s why

Emergent BioSolutions Inc (NYSE: EBS) opened another 15% up in the stock market this morning as global cases of Monkeypox continued to rise over the weekend.

How does the outbreak affect Emergent BioSolutions?

According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, ACAM2000 – Emergent’s vaccine for smallpox can be used to prevent the outbreak of Monkeypox. EBS has climbed nearly 50% since last Wednesday.

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Last week, the biotech company also bought global rights to smallpox newcomer, Tembexa. So far, the World Health Organisation has confirmed close to 100 cases of Monkeypox across twelve countries, including the United States.

WHO is working with the affected countries and others to expand disease surveillance to find and support people who may be affected, and to provide guidance on how to manage the disease.

Dr Scott Gottlieb talks risks associated with the outbreaks

The former FDA commissioner agrees the Monkeypox will likely not be an “uncontrollable” outbreak, but still sees some risks associated with the spread. This morning on CNBC’s “Squawk Box”, Dr Gottlieb said:

If, in fact, it’s more pervasive than we’re measuring, it becomes hard to snuff out because a lot of these cases are mildly symptomatic or might not present, they’ll be misdiagnosed. So, if it’s persistent, it can cause a lot of disruption.

Weighing in on the outbreaks, President Biden also warned in a recent statement that the spread of Monkeypox in the U.S. would be “consequential”. The virus is “super stable” outside the human body.