PR and Lobbying a Shot in the Arm for BioPort

The only licensed U.S. anthrax vaccine maker, BioPort, turned government contracts into "a gold mine," with help from the "right lobbyists and public relations professionals," writes Bob Evans. In 2002, following questions about vaccine safety and its financial practices, BioPort nearly quadrupled spending on lobbyists (from $30,000 to $110,000) and hired Ruder Finn and Fleishman-Hillard, "high-powered public relations firms staffed by many former government officials." The company began "sponsoring 'public education seminars' and studies." In September 2002, a report released by "bioterrorism experts" encouraged the government "to purchase millions of doses of BioPort's product." Evans says the report was actually "written by either BioPort or its public relations agent." BioPort also pays $40,000 a year to upkeep a website that "says it's sponsored by the Partnership for Anthrax Vaccination Education" and touts BioPort's product. This year, BioPort won "a $122.7 million contract" with the Department of Health and Human Services, with more funding under negotiation.