Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. press release, November 29, 2001

1 407 York Rood, Suit* 304 LulharvilU, Morylond 2 1 093 MEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 3)5 Cannon Office Building Washington, D.C 20515 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, November 29, 2001 CONTACT: Henry Fawell 202/225-3061 Local Biotech Firm Joins Front Lines of America’s Homeland Defense WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Bob Ehrlich (MD-2) congratulated Chesapeake Biological Laboratories (CBL) today for earning a critical role this week in the production of 155 million doses of smallpox vaccine, in conjunction with Acambis Inc. and Baxter BioScience. On Wednesday, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson announced a contract to produce the vaccine in the event of future bio-terrorist activities. CBL, which specializes in the production of injectable products, will provide the final filling, lyophilization and finishing stages of the manufacturing process. Lyophilization is a process, similar to freeze-drying, that extracts water from products so they remain stable and easier to store. Congressman Ehrlich, who is co-Chairman of the Congressional Biotechnology Caucus, stated, “In these unprecedented times, the Bush Administration is working to ensure the health and safety of all Americans. This contract puts CBL on the front lines of America’s new war on bioterrorism.” Smallpox was eradicated nearly two decades ago, however the Department of Health and Human Services, through the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) will, through this project, bring the number of smallpox vaccine doses for the United States to approximately 280 million. Congressman Ehrlich continued, “Furthermore, CBL’s new contract will create as many as 50 new jobs in the Baltimore area and stimulate up to $16 million in new investment, at a time when our economy needs it most. CBL is furthering the Maryland biotechnology community’s reputation of excellence in cutting-edge technologies. As co-Chair of Biotech Caucus, I am pleased to see one of our word-class biotech firms help meet this critical challenge while boosting our economy.”