Emergent BioSolutions Releases New Survey Findings Revealing Heightened Concerns About Biological Threats and U.S. Preparedness
Policy opinion leaders believe a biological attack is both more likely and easier to execute than a nuclear strike, highlighting concerns around bioterrorism and the nation’s readiness to respond
GAITHERSBURG, Md., Oct. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE: EBS) today announced the results of a new survey1 of approximately 250 U.S. policy opinion leaders showing that nearly two-thirds (65 percent) of respondents agree the likelihood of a biological attack on U.S. soil is rising, yet almost half (45 percent) believe the U.S. is unprepared for a biological attack. Conducted by Penta Group on behalf of Emergent, the survey amplifies findings in the unclassified 2025 Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community which highlights continued, serious concerns that adversarial nations possess biological and chemical weapons and that additional countries are continuing their research and development of chemical, biological, and pharmaceutical-based agents.2
“The risk of bio attacks in the U.S. and around the world is significant, and perhaps even more dangerous than nuclear weapons, given the relative low cost and overall ease to produce, especially today with the enabler of artificial intelligence,” said Hon. Andy Weber, Senior Fellow at the Council on Strategic Risk and former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Defense Programs. “To meet today’s threat we need robust surveillance, stockpiles of PPE and medical countermeasures, and established partnerships to rapidly develop, produce, and deliver vaccines and medicines to address bioengineered or novel threats.”
Despite the establishment of international treaties such as the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC), emerging threats posed by non-traditional agents, particularly central nervous system (CNS)-acting chemicals and biotoxins, present ongoing challenges to international security.3 Foreign adversary research on pharmaceutical based agents is known to include the development and autonomous deployment of highly potent, weaponized synthetic opioids, like aerosolized fentanyl and medetomidine.4 Aerosolized fentanyl caused the death of 130 civilians during the Dubrovka Theater attack in Moscow 2002.
Additionally, from the new survey, policy opinion leaders also see biological threats as a top national security concern, outpacing concerns over nuclear threats. Of note:
- Nearly two-thirds (65 percent) of policy opinion leaders surveyed agree the likelihood of a biological attack is rising in the U.S., compared to 60 percent who say the same for nuclear threats.
- A strong majority (73 percent) believe a biological attack would be easier to carry out than a nuclear one (27 percent).
- When asked which is more likely to occur, almost half (46 percent) identify a biological attack as the more likely event, versus 29 percent citing nuclear.
- Nearly 9 in 10 surveyed believe in the need for the U.S. to maintain global leadership in researching and developing medicines for known biological threats, and to continue government support of the biotech and biodefense industries.
“When it comes to biological threats, preparedness can be a deterrent. Strong public-private partnerships can enable rapid response in the event of an attack and should remain a national security priority,” said Joe Papa, president and CEO of Emergent. “With over 25 years of experience developing, manufacturing and delivering medical countermeasures for known bioterrorist threats like anthrax and smallpox, Emergent is well positioned and poised to continue to support U.S. preparedness efforts through our North American capabilities and USMCA-compliant facilities.”
Emergent’s portfolio of products addresses four Category A biological agents: Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis), Botulism (Clostridium botulinum toxin), Smallpox (variola major) and Viral hemorrhagic fevers (filoviruses, e.g. Ebola).5 This classification by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates agents that are considered the highest risk for a biological attack due to potential ease of dissemination and high mortality rates. Despite the ease of dissemination, manufacturing medical countermeasures to protect against and treat potential disease from these infectious agents and toxins requires specialized manufacturing capabilities. Through its North American manufacturing network, Emergent has both clinical and commercial Biosafety Level 2 and Level 3 manufacturing capabilities.
About Emergent BioSolutions
At Emergent, our mission is to protect and save lives. For over 25 years, we’ve been at work preparing those entrusted with protecting public health. We deliver protective and life-saving solutions for health threats like smallpox, mpox, botulism, Ebola, anthrax and opioid overdose emergencies. To learn more about how we help prepare communities around the world for today’s health challenges and tomorrow’s threats, visit our and follow us on , , , and .
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1Penta Group surveyed 252 policy opinion leaders between October 10, 2025 - October 16, 2025. Policy opinion leaders were defined as “highly informed and influential individuals deeply attuned to political and policy developments” and included government affairs executives, policy commentators and advocacy leaders who follow and potentially inform relevant policy discourse. The survey was designed to include a nationally representative sample; results from the survey have a sampling margin of error of +/-6.1 percentage points and represent a mix of demographics such as age, gender, region, and income. Data on file.
2Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community. Available at: Accessed: October 21, 2025.
3Repilado-Álvarez A, Guerra Guirao JA, Cuadrado Berrocal I, et al. Threat of non-traditional agents: a new frontier in chemical weapons concerns? BMJ Mil Health. Available at: . Accessed: October 21, 2025.
4Institute for Science and International Security. The Islamic Republic’s Work on Pharmaceutical Based Agents. Available at: Accessed: October 21, 2025.
5Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Category A and B Biological Agents. Available at: . Accessed: October 21, 2025.
