HHS accepting submissions for the development of coronavirus diagnostics

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is accepting abstract submissions for potential funding for the development of coronavirus molecular diagnostics.

The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), which is part of the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, will review the abstract submissions. The coronavirus (2019-nCoV) diagnostics must utilize platforms already cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), with a viable plan to meet requirements for the FDA to consider Emergency Use Authorization.

“Diagnostics in close proximity to the patient are essential to ensure appropriate, prompt care and to help curb the spread of infectious diseases such as 2019-nCoV,” BARDA Director Rick Bright said. “The 2019-nCoV poses a serious global health challenge, and at BARDA we are working rapidly with our government and industry partners to accelerate development of medical products needed to help protect the health of the American people.”

BARDA’s Easy Broad Agency Announcement solicitation process has averaged more than one abstract submission per day with awards made in as few as 30 days.

BARDA said it has helped transform the contracting process and provide innovators, entrepreneurs, and organizations with a simplified and rapid mechanism to partner with the U.S. government. BARDA plans to leverage that process to rapidly respond to the current outbreak that has been identified as a Public Health Emergency by the Secretary of HHS.