An antigenic pharmaceutical composition is provided comprising Protective Antigen (PA) and Lethal Factor (LF), wherein said PA and/or LF lacks a functional binding site, thereby preventing said PA and LF from binding together via said binding site or thereby preventing said PA from binding to a native PA cell receptor via said binding site, and wherein said composition is substantially non-toxic to animal cells. The composition is for preventing or minimising anthrax toxicity in mammals, preferably in humans. Also provided are DNA and RNA based vaccines encoding the antigenic components of said pharmaceutical composition. The present specification also describes antibodies that bind to at least one of PA, LF or EF, which binding thereby prevents:—(i) PA from binding to LF or EF, or to a native PA cell receptor; or (ii) LF from binding to PA; or (iii) EF from binding to PA.