Council on Strategic Risks urges federal support for defense program combating biological threats
When Ebola was a low priority for the private sector, the Department of Defense (DOD) was one of the few organizations that funded early-stage research and development on vaccines and treatments. The division of the DoD that played a critical role in that research was the Chemical and Biological... Read More »
Senators introduce SHIPYARD Act to support National Defense Infrastructure
U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker (R-MS), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Angus King (I-ME), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), along with Reps. Rob Wittman (R-VA), and Mike Gallagher (R-WI), introduced legislation that would address infrastructure needs to support the U.S. Navy. The legislation,... Read More »
Lawmakers seek expanded global COVID-19 vaccine access
A group of lawmakers recently forwarded correspondence to the three companies producing COVID-19 vaccines, seeking their plans to expand COVID-19 vaccines access globally. Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Jeffrey A. Merkley (D-OR), and Christopher S.... Read More »
Bill seeks to bolster nationwide cybersecurity
Sens. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) joined Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) and Ken Calvert (R-CA) introduced this week the Civilian Cyber Security Reserve Act, which seeks to bolster nationwide cybersecurity efforts. The lawmakers noted the bill would establish a pilot Civilian... Read More »
Cybercrime sees major spike during COVID-19 pandemic, according to new BAE Systems report
A new report, the COVID CRIME INDEX 2021 REPORT, compiled by BAE Systems Applied Intelligence, found that cybercrime has experienced a massive uptick of 74 percent among banks and insurers alike since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The data, which focused on financial institutions and their... Read More »
Moderna invests to increase COVID-19 vaccine dose supply to up to 3 billion in 2022
Moderna, Inc. announced major investments this week to bring global rollout of its COVID-19 vaccine to as many as 3 billion doses next year and somewhere between 800 million and 1 billion doses this year. The increase in supply stems from new funding commitments to Moderna’s owned and... Read More »
Former CDC director argues for technical, operational and political approach to combat future pandemics
While the COVID-19 pandemic has illustrated the dangers of ill-prepared public health initiatives, a new case study-based report from the global Resolve to Save Lives initiative and its president and CEO Dr. Tom Frieden highlights the numerous ways that governments can invest in and prioritize... Read More »
DHS extends deadline for enforcement on REAL ID
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas announced Tuesday that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would be extending the full enforcement date for the REAL ID to May 3, 2023. Due to the pandemic’s significant impact on state abilities to issue REAL ID-compliant driver’s... Read More »
Ebola detecting sensor in development phase
An Iowa State University research team is developing a new sensor capable of detecting Ebola in a single drop of blood while providing results in an hour. Researchers indicated the sensor is based on DNA aptamers, described as short, single-stranded DNA molecules selectively bound to a specific... Read More »
DHS unveils new anti-smuggling initiative
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has unveiled a new anti-smuggling initiative the agency said focuses on transnational criminal organizations affiliated with the smuggling of migrants. Authorities indicated Operation Sentinel is a collaborative effort with Customs and Border... Read More »
BARDA, Enalare Therapeutics to reformulate respiratory stimulant for emergency treatment of opioid-induced respiratory depression
The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) and Enalare Therapeutics partnered this week to reformulate the agnostic respiratory stimulant ENA-001 into an intramuscular, emergency treatment for opioid-induced respiratory depression (OIRD). The action is being undertaken... Read More »
Merck announces voluntary licensing agreements with five Indian generics manufacturers to boost access to COVID-19 therapeutic
Merck has reached voluntary licensing agreements with five Indian generics manufacturers to produce molnupiravir for the COVID-stricken nation, granting it another oral therapeutic to aid the COVID-19 pandemic. While molnupiravir is currently being studied in a phase three trial to treat... Read More »
DOJ releases $58M to combat Illicit drugs, improve officer wellness
The U.S. Department of Justice announced Monday that its Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) has released approximately $58 million in grant solicitations to advance community policing, combat opioid and methamphetamine use, and promote the health and safety of law... Read More »
DHS initiates internal review addressing threat of domestic violent extremism
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has initiated an internal review to identify, address, and prevent the threat of domestic violent extremism. “Domestic violent extremism poses the most lethal and persistent terrorism-related threat to our country today,” Secretary of Homeland... Read More »