FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, May 4, 2006

Isakson, Chambliss Announce Marietta Firm Wins $298 Million Contract
for Pandemic Preparedness

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) and Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) today announced that Solvay Pharmaceuticals of Marietta will receive $298 million over five years from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to develop cell-based influenza vaccines and plan for domestic manufacturing capacity in the United States.

“The development and production of Pandemic Influenza Vaccine is critical to the health and well being of our nation , and I am very pleased that the federal government has chosen to award this critical funding to Solvay Pharmaceuticals,”Isakson said.  

“The folks at Solvay Pharmaceuticals deserve a great deal of credit for distinguishing themselves through a very tough and competitive process,” said Senator Chambliss.  “Our congressional delegation worked hard to underscore the critical role our state plays in helping our nation prepare for pandemic influenza, and I am pleased to congratulate Solvay Pharmaceuticals for receiving this contract.”

The contract covers the development and testing of new influenza vaccines including pandemic vaccines that are produced using cell-based technology and the development of a master plan to manufacture, formulate, fill and package annual and pandemic influenza vaccines in a new U.S.-based facility. The location of the facility has yet to be chosen. 

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