The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) began this month soliciting support for repurposing therapeutics into medical countermeasures against chemical threats.
The organization is now accepting abstract submissions for potential funding through its Division of Research, Innovation, and Ventures (DRIVe) ReDIRECT program and the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Division. Together, they seek to identify existing, commonly available medical countermeasures that could save lives during chemical emergencies, whether caused intentionally or accidentally. Given how quickly such things can lead to death, rapid countermeasures are needed for treatment.
BARDA will review submissions that repurpose easily accessible therapeutics into medical countermeasures against chlorine gas, opioids, nerve agents, and other threats. By utilizing this process, DRIVe will pursue a streamlined method of review and acceptance of applications for transformative products and technologies.
To date, DRIVe’s EZ-BAA solicitation has awarded up to $750,000 in as few as 30 days. It also averages more than one abstract submission per day while active.