Senate bill seeks to reduce international corruption
The U.S. Senate recently advanced a bipartisan bill designed to fight international corruption. The Combatting Global Corruption Act (S. 1309), introduced by Sens. Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Todd Young (R-IN), would encourage greater transparency in U.S. foreign and security assistance and publicize... Read More »
Researchers find genetic mutations may play a role in disease outbreaks
Researchers from the University of California, Davis, and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) have discovered that outbreaks of human disease may be due to genetic mutations and that viruses may change as they expand their geographic range. The researchers studied how the Zika... Read More »
BAE Systems secures contract for Navy rockets
BAE Systems has secured a $2.68 billion Navy contract for indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity purchase of thousands of additional Advanced precision kill weapon system (APKWS) Laser-Guided Rockets. “Our armed forces customers are looking to apply just the right amount of force at the right... Read More »
Melinta bankruptcy showcases vulnerability of antibiotics supply
The announcement last week that antibiotic maker Melinta had descended into Chapter 11 bankruptcy highlighted the problems facing the antibiotic industry, as well as the danger corporate issues could cast over medication availability. Melinta was the second antibiotic producer to file for... Read More »
Sens. King, Risch applaud passage of Securing Energy Infrastructure Act
U.S. Sens. Angus King (I-ME) and Jim Risch (R-ID) commended the enactment of a bill they introduced that would develop defenses for the U.S. energy grid. The Securing Energy Infrastructure Act, which passed as part of the FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act, would seek to develop defenses... Read More »
Legislation authorizes Homeland Security program
The Senate recently passed legislation that authorizes $75 million annually for the Department of Homeland Security’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program for fiscal years 2020 through 2024. The program provides grants to nonprofits and faith-based organizations to protect against a potential... Read More »
Democratic-led legislation addresses Valley Fever
A group of Democratic lawmakers recently crafted legislation designed to combat Valley Fever through enhanced diagnosis, treatment, and vaccine development. Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), TJ Cox (D-CA), Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ), Josh Harder (D-CA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Tom O’Halleran (D-AZ), Ann... Read More »
Bill classifies seven Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Rep. Anthony Brindisi (D-NY) recently introduced legislation classifying seven Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) as defined by section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The Identifying Drug Cartels as Terrorists Act would... Read More »
President Trump signs bill to create U.S. Space Force
President Donald Trump signed the $738 billion defense bill into law last week, which includes funding to create the sixth branch of the military – the U.S. Space Force. “Today [also] marks another landmark achievement as we officially inaugurate the newest branch of the military [United... Read More »
NIH establishes Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Consortium
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) established the Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Consortium. This leadership consortium will encompass NIAID’s Vaccine and Treatment Evaluation Units (VTEUs). NIAID, which is part of the National Institute of Health (NIH),... Read More »
Infectious Diseases Society of America warns federal FY 2020 spending bill ignores urgent challenges
The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) has delivered a cautious appraisal of the federal spending bill for FY 2020, noting that while it will strengthen public health and research efforts, it undercuts -- at Americans’ peril -- HIV investment and immunization efforts, among... Read More »
From vaccines to disinfectants, new multi-agency task force tackles emerging threat of African swine fever
It’s a disease that’s killed millions of pigs globally, crippled farming, and has no cure. African swine fever has devastated the Asian pork industry, as China has culled about half of its total swine population since the disease took hold of that country in August 2018. Outbreaks of African... Read More »
Congressional spending package includes $200M for universal flu vaccine
Approximately $200 million has been allocated for the creation of a universal influenza vaccine that could protect against multiple strains of the flu virus in Congress’s year-end spending package. U.S. Sen, Edward Markey (D-MA) has spearheaded the effort to boost funding for the flu vaccine.... Read More »
Alliance for Biosecurity adds five new members
Five U.S. companies joined a coalition of pharmaceutical companies that advocates for public policies and funding to support medical countermeasures to prevent and respond to a variety of threats. Opiant, Roche Diagnostics, SCYNEXIS, Tonix, and Venatorx are the five newest members of this... Read More »