# DoD Awards Evotec Plague Antibody Contract

On September 20, 2022, the U.S. Department of Defense awarded Just – Evotec Biologics a contract worth up to $49.9 million to develop monoclonal antibody medical countermeasures against plague, including preclinical work and development through Phase I first-in-human trials. The award, identified as MCDC2203-001, is a completed historical procurement announcement—not an open solicitation—and illustrates DoD demand for integrated biologics discovery, development, and manufacturing capabilities for biodefense programs.

- The awardee is Just – Evotec Biologics, with Evotec SE identified as its parent company; the procurement combines development and manufacturing capabilities under one contractor.
- The work is relevant to defense and biotechnology firms with experience in monoclonal antibodies, medical countermeasures, and clinical development. It demonstrates a DoD contracting pathway for advancing biodefense candidates toward early human trials.
- Because this award was announced in 2022 and is not an active solicitation, businesses should treat it as market intelligence rather than a current bid opportunity.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military, Healthcare
**Topics:** Emergency Response
**Published:** October 06, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)
- Joint Project Lead for CBRND Enabling Biotechnologies (JPL CBRND-EB)
- Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense (JPEO-CBRND)

### Vendors
- Just – Evotec Biologics, Inc. (awardee and performing contractor)
- Evotec SE (parent company of the awardee)

### Key Quotes
> We are delighted to support the DOD with this work of strategic national importance, and which we feel represents a clear validation of both the efficiency and speed our leading science, technology and expertise offers our partners.
> — Craig Johnstone, Chief Operating Officer of Evotec

> JPEO-CBRND-EB is pleased to work with Just/Evotec on this innovative and significant program to protect the Warfighter.
> — Bruce Goodwin, Joint Project Lead for CBRND Enabling Biotechnologies

> We are pleased to provide a single integrated discovery, development and manufacturing solution for the DOD.
> — Linda Zuckerman, Executive Vice President, Global Head Biotherapeutics at Just – Evotec Biologics

### Sources
- [So if $NVAX $MRNA $EBS popped yesterday on this pneumonic plague story, why would $EVO not catch up with them? They’re literally developing a clinical antibody for pneumonic plague with the US DoD lol

https://t.co/LfatDnkWak](https://x.com/psyduckcapital/status/2107374870376137059) - twitter-defense