Emergent BioSolutions Inc. announced that Fuad El-Hibri, founder and executive chairman, has decided to retire effective April 1, 2022. El-Hibri founded Emergent (then BioPort) in 1998 with a single product, BioThrax® (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed), and took the company public in 2006. Having served as chief executive officer for almost 14 years until March 2012, and executive chairman for 10 years, El-Hibri has been instrumental in growing the company's portfolio to its current suite of marketed and procured products for a variety of public health threats, including medical countermeasures for anthrax, smallpox, botulism, and chemical warfare agents, as well as overseeing the company's role in fighting the opioid crisis.

Given El-Hibri's wisdom, knowledge, experience, and history with the company, Emergent anticipates that El-Hibri will still be available as needed to effectively transition his knowledge to the Board of Directors and management team. The details of any arrangement related to that are under consideration by the Emergent Board of Directors and will be disclosed when approved by the Board. Emergent expects to name a new Chair of the Board of Directors ahead of El-Hibri's retirement.