DOD, HHS establish acquisition support partnership
The Department of Defense (DoD) and Health and Human Services (HHS) have established a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to partner in defeating COVID-19 while preparing for future public health emergencies. The agreement establishes the framework of DoD continuing to support HHS with... Read More »
DOJ announces initiative to reduce violent crime
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is initiating an endeavor designed to address the rise of major violent crimes nationwide. “We renew our commitment to reducing violent crime and building strong communities where all Americans are safe,” Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said. “The... Read More »
Oxford University study of “mix and match” COVID-19 vaccines awarded $7.1M in CEPI funds
The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) awarded $7.1 million grant funding to an Oxford University study assessing if COVID-19 vaccine regimens can be mixed. These funds will complement $3 million of funding already granted from the U.K. government and support from the... Read More »
FDA authorizes sotrovimab monoclonal antibody to treat mild to moderate COVID-19 cases
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) added another tool to the fight against COVID-19 this week, granting emergency use authorization (EUA) to the monoclonal antibody therapy sotrovimab for use against mild to moderate COVID-19 cases in those 12 years and older. The EUA was granted to... Read More »
TSA preparing for increased passenger volume during summer travel season
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials said the agency is continuing to prepare for increased travel volumes in advance of the Memorial Day holiday weekend and summer months. “As we head into a summer where we hope to see a tremendous reemergence of domestic travel and the... Read More »
Curtiss-Wright Corporation secures naval defense contracts
Curtiss-Wright Corporation announced that it has secured a series of Navy contracts in excess of $130 million to aid naval defense platforms. The scope of work includes providing propulsion valves, pumps, and advanced instrumentation and control systems for the Navy’s Virginia-class... Read More »
NTI | bio virtually gathers global experts to address biotechnology risks, life sciences oversight
The nonprofit Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) | bio virtually convened an interdisciplinary group of experts and world leaders earlier this month to push for a global organization to reduce biotechnology risks, promote biosecurity and strengthen international oversight of life sciences... Read More »
Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security earns Rockefeller Foundation grant for COVID-19 response research
Thanks to a $400,000 grant from The Rockefeller Foundation, the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security will document, evaluate and spread information on large-scale health successes among the COVID-19 response in low and middle-income nations over the past year. This information will be used... Read More »
A pandemic-free future requires public-private partnerships, government leadership
Academia and the private sector must be in a collaborative relationship with the United States government to invest in the research and development of technologies that will prevent a future pandemic, experts said on Wednesday during a webinar hosted by the Capitol Hill Steering Committee on... Read More »
Phase 2 study shows Emergent BioSolutions’ chikungunya vaccine candidate can protect for two years
A phase two clinical study of the Emergent BioSolutions, Inc. chikungunya virus vaccine candidate has been shown to spur antibodies, reflecting a persistent immune response for two years, after just a single dose. There is currently no vaccine to prevent or treat chikungunya virus infection,... Read More »
Biden administration increases FEMA funding in advance of hurricane season
In advance of what is predicted to be another busy hurricane season, the Biden administration has allocated $1 billion to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for pre-disaster mitigation resources to prepare for extreme weather events and other disasters. Meeting with homeland... Read More »
CEPI, SK bioscience expand vaccine development partnership
Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) officials said the organization has expanded its partnership with SK bioscience to develop a vaccine to combat SARS-CoV-2 and variants of concern. The agreement calls for CEPI to earmark up to $173.4 million for SK bioscience's to COVID-19... Read More »
Twenty union, stakeholder organizations offer PPE bill support
The AFL-CIO, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and the United States Footwear Manufacturers Association are among 20 union and stakeholder organizations supporting the Make PPE in America Act. The unions and stakeholder organizations recently forwarded correspondence to Majority... Read More »
Moderna COVID-19 vaccine shown effective in 12 to 17 years olds in Phase 2/3 study
Plans are underway to submit the Moderna, Inc. COVID-19 vaccine to regulators in early June to expand its use, following positive results from a Phase 2/3 study that distributed the vaccine among adolescents aged 12 to 17 years old. The vaccine, known as mRNA-1273, met its primary immunogenicity... Read More »