Emergent BioSolutions and SAB Biotherapeutics announced a multi‑year agreement that values the partnership at roughly $50 million, with $36 million contingent on regulatory approval and downstream milestones. The contract gives Emergent access to SAB’s proprietary transchromosomic bovine platform, enabling large‑scale production of fully human polyclonal antibodies without the need for human plasma donors.
The agreement is designed to accelerate the SAFEGUARD Phase 2b study of SAB‑142, the lead candidate for type 1 diabetes, and to position the company for a potential market launch. By leveraging Emergent’s established manufacturing infrastructure—particularly its Winnipeg facility, which is equipped for integrated drug substance and drug product manufacturing—SAB can meet the demands of a global clinical program and, ultimately, commercial supply.
This new deal expands upon an earlier manufacturing arrangement between the two companies that was announced in October 2022. The $50 million commitment adds a new source of cash flow for SAB and reduces the financial risk associated with the high‑cost Phase 2b trial, while also strengthening Emergent’s portfolio of complex biologics contracts.
SAB Biotherapeutics has recently raised significant capital—$175 million in July 2025, $85 million in March 2026, and $130 million in October 2023—to fund the development of SAB‑142. The partnership also positions SAB against competitors such as Sanofi’s Tzield, which was approved in the U.S. in November 2022 and expanded to children as young as one year old on April 22 2026. The donor‑free manufacturing pathway offered by the transchromosomic platform could lower costs and improve product availability for a broader patient population.
Bill Hartzel, Senior Vice President of Manufacturing and Bioservices at Emergent, said the company is pleased to leverage its specialized manufacturing capabilities to support the advancement of SAB‑142. He added that the Winnipeg facility is uniquely equipped to offer integrated drug substance and drug product manufacturing services as SAB Biotherapeutics furthers the development of its lead candidate.
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