House committee approves bill to authorize U.S. participation in CEPI
The U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee approved a bill this week that would authorize U.S. participation in the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), a public-private partnership developing vaccines for coronavirus and other infectious pathogens. The legislation, the Securing... Read More »
Bill addresses hospital, CDC data collection
A trio of lawmakers have introduced a measure reversing the Trump administration’s directive regarding hospitals withholding coronavirus pandemic data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Jack Reed (D-RI) said... Read More »
In primates, Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine provides strong protection after one dose
In pre-clinical data recently published in Nature, Johnson & Johnson’s lead vaccine candidate for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, provoked strong antibody responses in non-human primates, subsequently blocking infection of their lungs. “We are excited to see these pre-clinical... Read More »Center for Health Security calls for changes in U.S. COVID-19 response in new report
As COVID-19 caused deaths in the United States have crossed 150,000, the Center for Health Security has released a report noting policy actions and data reporting needed at all levels of government to effectively turn the tide against the pandemic. “Unlike many countries in the world, the... Read More »
ATAC secures Air Force training pact
The Air Force has awarded a contract worth up to a combined $240 million to Airborne Tactical Advantage Company (ATAC) for adversary air live training. Air Force officials said the award to ATAC, part of the Textron Systems segment of Textron Inc., is via the Combat Air Forces (CAF) Contracted... Read More »
Lawmakers examine climate change security threats analysis
A pair of lawmakers recently released a requested Government Accountability Office (GAO) analysis regarding potential national security threats resulting from climate change impacts. Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Jack Reed (D-RI) sought to examine climate change impact on defense contractors... Read More »
DOE, HHS, and VA join forces to create COVID-19 Insights Partnership
The Department of Energy (DOE), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are working together to share health data as well as research and expertise to aid in the fight against COVID-19. The initiative between these three government agencies is... Read More »
Curtiss-Wright secures Navy pact
The Curtiss-Wright Corp. has secured a U.S. Navy contract in excess of $220 million to support a series of naval defense platforms. The initiative includes providing propulsion valves, pumps and advanced instrumentation and control systems for the Navy’s Virginia-class nuclear powered attack... Read More »NIAID scientists report Moderna COVID-19 vaccine boosts immune responses in primate airways
A COVID-19 vaccine candidate -- mRNA-1273 -- produced by Moderna, Inc. and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) brought broad immune responses and protection to the upper and lower airways of nonhuman primates, NIAID scientists reported this week. After two doses of... Read More »
Infectious disease experts cite pros, cons of Senate GOP pandemic relief bill
A proposed COVID-19 appropriations bill released on Monday by U.S. Senate Republicans takes solid steps toward providing urgently needed relief and resources, but it also falls short of necessary responses, according to the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and the HIV Medicine... Read More »
Pfizer and BioNTech pick lead COVID-19 vaccine candidate for late stage trial
Following review of pre-clinical and phase 1/2 clinical trial data, Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE have selected a single mRNA vaccine candidate from the BNT162 program for use against SARS-CoV-2 -- the virus that causes COVID-19 -- in a global phase 2/3 safety and efficacy trial. Investigators... Read More »
HHS expands COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing capacity
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) officials said the agency has expanded its COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing capacity via the Center for Innovation in Advanced Development and Manufacturing (CIADM). The Texas A&M University System venue’s $265 million task order falls under an... Read More »
Late-stage trial of Moderna, NIAID COVID-19 vaccine gets underway
At sites across the United States, a phase 3 trial of the investigational vaccine mRNA-1273, jointly developed by Moderna, Inc. and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) is set to enroll 30,000 volunteers for testing. Anyone 18 years of age and older, who does not... Read More »