Title : Current Investments and Future Directions of Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority’s CBRN Vaccines Portfolio
Abstract:
The mission of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) as part of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is to enhance the U.S. government’s capability to respond to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats, pandemic influenza, and emerging infectious diseases by investing in the advanced development and procurement of an array of medical countermeasures. Anthrax, smallpox, and multiple different filovirus species are priority biological threats addressed within BARDA’s current portfolio of CBRN vaccine advanced development and procurement programs. Over the past ten years, some of these CBRN vaccine investments have helped contain outbreaks and prevent further spread of diseases, such as Ebola and Mpox, that pose public health concerns. To enhance preparedness for priority CBRN threats as well as other emerging threats, BARDA is focusing on three Areas of Interest in the BARDA Broad Agency Announcement (BAA-23-100-SOL-00004). First, BARDA seeks proposals for development of flexible vaccine manufacturing technologies that can be applied to rapidly develop and manufacture a range of different vaccines against a range of threat agents. Second, BARDA is interested in the proof-of-concept application of needle-free delivery technologies for a licensed vaccine for a CBRN threat to improve the operational logistics of vaccine administration in a response scenario. Finally, since there are currently no licensed vaccines for Orthomarburgvirus and Orthoebolavirus sudanense, BARDA seeks to advance the development of vaccines for these filoviruses. BARDA looks to engage vaccine developers through the BAA and other funding opportunities. Any vaccine or vaccine-related technology developer interested in working with BARDA is encouraged to apply to the TechWatch program to receive feedback before submission of an application to the BAA.
Audience Takeaway:
- Explain how the audience will be able to use what they learn?
- The audience will gain insight into BARDA’s current CBRN vaccine portfolio, BARDA’s funding opportunities for vaccine development against CBRN threats, and the plans to improve preparedness for biological threats using vaccine and manufacturing technologies.
- How will this help the audience in their job?
- This presentation provides an overview of funding opportunities available at BARDA to support vaccine development, including flexible manufacturing technologies and platforms, improvement of operational logistics of mass vaccine administration, and advanced development for vaccines against priority threat pathogens.
- Is this research that other faculty could use to expand their research or teaching?
- The presentation will highlight opportunities and ways to connect with BARDA for funding and vaccine development support.
- Does this provide a practical solution to a problem that could simplify or make a designer’s job more efficient?
- By understanding BARDA’s priorities for vaccine development, a researcher/designer could incorporate these requirements early in the development process to enhance the chances of success for obtaining future funding from BARDA.
- Will it improve the accuracy of a design, or provide new information to assist in a design problem? This presentation will provide information on criteria to consider in vaccine candidate design for threats such as anthrax, filoviruses, smallpox, and other emerging infectious diseases.
- List all other benefits. Participants will have a better understanding of federal resources available at BARDA to support vaccine development as well as funding opportunities.
