News
Cleveland hospital to aid COVID-19 vaccine research
Cleveland, Ohio-based University Hospitals will serve as one of 120 global clinical investigational sites to test Pfizer and BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine. The clinical trial would be initiated at UH Cleveland Medical Center. Dr. Robert Salata, chairman of the Department of Medicine at UH... Read More »
CISA addresses 5G security, resilience
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) officials said the agency’s fifth generation (5G) technology strategy seeks to advance the development and deployment of a secure and resilient infrastructure. “The promise of 5G is undeniable, but with 5G technology posed to underpin a... Read More »
COVAX facility gathers 172 countries supporting nine COVID-19 vaccine candidates
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the global COVAX initiative can now count 172 national economies and nine potential COVID-19 vaccines under its banner, seven of which have entered clinical trials. The goal of the COVAX facility is to bring the... Read More »
Maryland touts COVID-19 R&D efforts among nearly 40 local companies, universities
Thanks to the efforts of nearly 40 companies and universities in the state of Maryland, millions of dollars have been dedicated to the research and development of vaccines, therapeutics, and tests for COVID-19, Gov. Larry Hogan announced this week. Those efforts include millions in funding... Read More »
Lawmakers seek briefing on reported Saudi Arabia’s plan to build nuclear facilities
A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators sent a letter to President Donald Trump seeking more information on Saudi Arabia’s reported efforts to build “secret nuclear facilities.” The senators say this development threatens to undermine the international nonproliferation regime and U.S.... Read More »
The U.S. Defense Department announces four actions to strengthen industrial base capabilities
The U.S. Department of Defense announced four actions through the Defense Production Act to sustain and strengthen essential domestic industrial base capabilities in molecular diagnostic testing, satellite communications, laser electronics, and aircraft engine repair. These actions are... Read More »
Northrop Grumman Corporation touts successful IBCS test
Northrop Grumman Corporation officials said an Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) flight test resulted in the Army intercepting a tactical ballistic missile (TBM) and a cruise missile target. “These two back-to-back successful test events are a testament to the commitment and partnership... Read More »
Government council discusses election preparedness, coordination
Election Infrastructure Government Coordinating Council (GCC) officials maintain Election Day preparations and coordination between the federal government and state and local election officials have progressed accordingly. “The election community is more unified, more coordinated, and better... Read More »
House Health STATISTICS Act introduced to improve COVID-19 data sharing efforts
Despite its far-reaching effects, there remains no standardized reporting of COVID-19-related data within the United States, a fact that prompted the introduction of the Health STATISTICS Act of 2020 to the House last week. The legislation was introduced by U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA),... Read More »
FDA grants emergency authorization for convalescent plasma as COVID-19 treatment
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for convalescent plasma as a treatment for COVID-19 among hospitalized patients this week, determining that its known and potential benefits outweigh any risks. Convalescent plasma is made using the blood of... Read More »
Miami International Airport rolls out new high-tech security checkpoint
The Miami International Airport installed seven computed tomography (CT) scanners at six Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints. With these changes, passengers traveling through a lane with a CT scanner will be permitted to leave laptops and other electronic devices in their... Read More »
Reps. Guthrie, Walden release report addressing possible second wave of pandemic
U.S. Reps. Brett Guthrie (R-KY) and Greg Walden (R-OR) finalized a report that provides recommendations for addressing a possible second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. The third and final installment of their report – called “Second Wave Preparedness Project” -- focuses on... Read More »
HHS decision to allow COVID-19 tests to market without FDA review provokes Congressional backlash
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced last week the cancellation of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements on premarket reviews for lab-developed tests linked to COVID-19. Pitching the change as one targeting unnecessary policies and increasing flexibility in... Read More »
University of Utah-led study charts first daily surveillance of COVID-19 hotspots in US counties
Every county in the United States was scoured for COVID-19 hotspots in a recent study released by University of Utah geographers, providing localized data to track infection clusters and inform local public health policies. Through space-time statistics, the researchers determined geographic... Read More »
Lawmakers urge Trump administration officials to develop COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan
U.S. Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-CA) is among 60 Members of Congress in calling on the Trump Administration to develop a COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan that prioritizes health equity. The lawmakers are urging Alex Azar, the Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretary, to take a strategic, public... Read More »
Roche to partner with Regeneron on COVID-19 treatment
Roche Pharmaceuticals is teaming up with Regeneron to develop and distribute Regeneron’s COVID-19 investigational antiviral antibody combination. The treatment, known as REGN-COV2, is being developed as a treatment option for people already experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. It also has the... Read More »
KBR to acquire technology firm Centauri
Government and technology professional services and solutions provider KBR said the firm has agreed to acquire the technology firm Centauri. The acquisition via Arlington Capital Partners is for approximately $800 million in cash net of tax benefits. "KBR has undergone a deliberate, strategic... Read More »
Future COVID-19 package cybersecurity funding sought
A group of lawmakers forwarded correspondence this week to congressional leaders, encouraging cybersecurity funding support in the next COVID-19 aid package. Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) joined eight Senate colleagues detailing how cybercriminals have launched campaigns against healthcare... Read More »
Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security releases framework for ethical allocation, distribution of COVID-19 vaccines
A new, interim report from the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security released this week showcases a path to ethical allocation and distribution of an eventual COVID-19 vaccine, meant to help facilitate those early days after it is first authorized for use. The Interim Framework for COVID-19... Read More »
FDA grants emergency use authorization for LumiraDx SARS-CoV-2 antigen swab test
In its latest anti-COVID-19 effort, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to LumiraDx UK Ltd’s SARS-CoV-2 Ag Test, a flexible, scalable, low cost antigen test that works directly off of nasal swab specimens. The test is meant for use within the... Read More »
Heritage Foundation report warns of Chinese-made drone proliferation in U.S. markets
In a new report on commercial drones, the conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation has laid out the expansive penetration of Chinese-manufactured drones into the U.S. market, and has argued for direct government intervention to halt their data collection activities. Labeling these drones... Read More »
CISA releases updated critical workers guidance
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) personnel said the agency has released an updated version of its Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers Guidance, which focuses on safety and nationwide operations. Version 4.0 of the document reflects the changing landscape of the... Read More »
FirstNet Board approves 2021 budget
The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) Board has approved FirstNet’s $213 million budget for Fiscal Year 2021, acknowledging focus on the nationwide public safety broadband network’s operations and investments. “This budget provides steady funding for the FirstNet... Read More »
DHS S&T requests candidates for non-invasive, COVID-19 temperature screening tech by month’s end
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) issued a call for candidates to submit technologies for a non-invasive febrile temperature screening of COVID-19 to be included in an upcoming market study. All interested vendors, manufacturers, and... Read More »
Bipartisan senators call for $15.5B NIH research funding package in future COVID-19 relief efforts
As Congress continues to discuss future COVID-19 relief legislation, U.S. Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME), along with 24 other senators, called on Senate leadership this week to include $15.5 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in any relief package. This, the... Read More »
Sens. Portman, Peters introduce bill to promote production of PPE in US
U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Gary Peters (D-MI) introduced a bill designed to promote the production of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the United States. Specifically, the Make PPE in America Act would require the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to issue long-term contracts for... Read More »
House bill seeks to increase US vaccination rates
A bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives that seeks to reverse the decrease in vaccination rates, which have plummeted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Community Immunity During COVID-19 Act (H.R. 8061) would make investments to evaluate and develop local initiatives to... Read More »
Plasma Technologies signs deal with federal government for COVID-19 treatment process
Plasma Technologies of Charleston, S.C., signed an agreement with the Department of Defense’s (DOD) Joint Acquisition Task Force (JATF) to develop a process to produce higher-yielding anti-COVID-19 immune serum for scale-up and manufacturing. A higher yield hyperimmune serum would be an... Read More »
Agencies issue UAS detection, mitigation advisory
Four federal agencies have issued an advisory guidance document to aid non-federal public and private entities in understanding federal laws and regulations addressing Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) operations threats. The Department of Justice (DOJ), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA),... Read More »
Osterthaler to chair FirstNet Board
Robert Tipton (Tip) Osterthaler has been appointed by Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross to serve as Chair of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) Board. “Tip Osterthaler has been an instrumental FirstNet Board member who will bring exceptional leadership to the... Read More »
University of Illinois, Army researchers create protein decoy as potential COVID-19 treatment
Scientists from the University of Illinois and the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) have designed and tested a decoy protein capable of tricking SARS-CoV-2 -- the virus that causes COVID-19 -- and could potentially lead to a treatment. Their results,... Read More »
COVAX facility seeking civil society, community organizations as partners in COVID-19 fight
As part of its communal effort to see a potential COVID-19 vaccine fairly manufactured and distributed throughout the world by the end of 2021, the COVAX facility has put out a call for civil society and community organizations (CSOs) to contribute. COVAX is the brainchild of three... Read More »
GAO: Challenges delay HHS in naming private, nonprofit partner to develop medical countermeasures
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has taken some steps to implement new authority to speed up innovation of medical countermeasures like vaccines for COVID-19, but has not yet chosen a private, nonprofit partner to work with on this problem, according to a recently released... Read More »
U.S. House approves Lyme disease amendment, increases research funding by $4M
The U.S. House of Representatives recently approved an amendment increasing Lyme disease research funding to a total of $20 million at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for fiscal year 2021. The amendment, authored by U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), boosts Lyme disease research... Read More »