News
Emergent BioSolutions receives DoD funding for auto-injector
The Department of Defense’s Medical CBRN Defense Consortium (MCDC) awarded $20 million to Emergent BioSolutions Inc. for the development of an auto-injector to treat nerve agent-induced seizures. The device, which will contain diazepam (5 mg/mL), is being designed for intramuscular... Read More »
Colorado law enforcement personnel attend darknet training course
Special agents from Homeland Security Investigations’ (HSI) Cyber Crimes Center and the Illicit Finance and Proceeds of Crime Unit recently taught a darknet training course to more than 100 local and state law enforcement personnel in Colorado. The goal was to provide information on darknet... Read More »
FDA approves smallpox, monkeypox vaccine
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the vaccine Jynneos to treat smallpox and monkeypox in adults. It is the only currently FDA-approved vaccine for this disease. “Following the global Smallpox Eradication Program, the World Health Organization certified the eradication of... Read More »
GAO stresses need for oversight of DOD transportation fee account balances
Since the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) began selling foreign partners defense items and services through its Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, it has charged a transportation fee, but those account balances have now grown by more than 1300 percent, without guidance or proper adjustments.... Read More »
Bill targets telecommunications supply chain security
A group of lawmakers recently introduced legislation designed to aid in securing the nation’s telecommunications supply chain. Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Ranking Member Greg Walden (R-OR) have joined Reps. Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Brett Guthrie (R-KY)... Read More »
BIO supports public health executive order
Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) leaders are expressing support for a recently signed public health order focusing on vaccine technology development, prioritization, and emphasizing vaccination importance. President Donald Trump announced the executive order in advance of what is... Read More »
Tactical mission kit garnering trial success
Lockheed Martin officials said flight tests of the firm’s Sikorsky HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopter have determined the aircraft’s new tactical mission kit operates as designed, ensuring seamless transitioning to evaluation. “This tactical mission kit leverages the knowledge we’ve gained... Read More »
NIAID awards up to $201M contract to University of Maryland for influenza vaccine research
One of the largest research contracts ever awarded to the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) was announced by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) this week, to the potential tune of more than $200 million over the next seven years. Initially, the... Read More »
CISA conducts emergency response exercise in Pennsylvania
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recently held a test of emergency response plans in Hershey, Pa., in conjunction with local and state organizations. The test assessed tactical response and coordination to a complex and coordinated attack. The exercise was in the... Read More »
CDC designated as a Collaborating Center for Biosafety and Biosecurity
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Center for Global Health was designated as a Collaborating Center for Biosafety and Biosecurity by the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO). The designation -- the first awarded to a CDC/WHO collaborating... Read More »
ASPR’s Kadlec: Smallpox one of many biothreats U.S. must anticipate
The Sept. 14 gas explosion that stoked a fire at a Russian bioweapons facility in Siberia where viruses and bacteria including smallpox, Ebola and anthrax are stored reminded the world that humans are only one catastrophic biological event away from a pandemic that could kill tens of millions of... Read More »
Executive order aims to modernize nation’s vaccines
President Donald Trump signed an executive order that directs the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Defense to propose a plan and budget to modernize the development of flu vaccines. The plan must be submitted within 120 days. The goal is to improve preparedness for... Read More »
IDSA reviews Congressional funding allocations for health concerns
Proposed funding allocations by the Senate Appropriations Committee address some of the most urgent threats to public and individual, the Infectious Diseases Society of America said. The bill’s allotment of $168.5 million for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC)... Read More »
BARDA to provide $14M, expertise for advanced development of new Ebola treatment
The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) intends to provide $14 million and expertise support for the advanced development of an investigational Ebola treatment being pursued by Ridgeback Biotherapeutics of Miami. Ridgeback is manufacturing the therapeutic drug known as... Read More »
Legislation targets criminal activities related to money laundering
The House of Representatives has advanced a measure sponsored by Rep. Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH) designed to aid the effort to stop money laundering supporting criminal activity. The legislation was advanced with unanimous support. The Advancing Innovation (AI) to Assist Law Enforcement Act... Read More »
DHS unveils terrorism, targeted violence strategy
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kevin K. McAleenan recently unveiled the agency’s plan to address terrorism and targeted violence during an event co-hosted by the Heritage Foundation. The DHS Strategic Framework for Combating Terrorism and Targeted Violence at the Brookings... Read More »
Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense considers cyberbiosecurity threats
There’s a new word on the street that packs a lot of punch: cyberbiosecurity, which is introducing a host of new multilayered threats to biodefense. Members of the newly named Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense — formerly the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense — last week sought a... Read More »
Data shows WHO yellow fever recommendations may not be effective for all age groups
Despite the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) recommendations -- since 2013 -- that a single dose of yellow fever vaccine will protect people for a lifetime, new research shows that might not hold true for the youngest among the populace. The aforementioned WHO recommendation was based on... Read More »
Esper encourages military adaptability
During an address at the Air Force Association’s Air, Space & Cyber conference, Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper encouraged military adaptability against potential space threats and cyberattacks. Esper also said the emergence of Russia and China also expedites the need for adaptable... Read More »
Federal funding earmarked for election security
In anticipation of the 2020 elections, federal lawmakers have approved $250 million in support of state and local governments’ efforts to strengthen election security. The Senate Appropriations Committee recently granted approval to the allotment via an amendment to the Financial Services and... Read More »
Western Maryland receives $5.6M grant for first responders
The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency recently awarded Western Maryland more than $5.6 million through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program. The bulk of the funding, $5.5 million, was awarded to Frederick County while... Read More »
DEA sets strategy to combat drug, opioid addiction in Southern Massachusetts
The U.S. Department of Drug Enforcement (DEA) is initiating an effort to combat the drug abuse epidemic in the South Coast region of Massachusetts. The DEA is initiating a “360 Strategy” in that region – which is a comprehensive diversion control, law enforcement, and prevention program to... Read More »
Virginia Tech awarded $7.5M grant to study speed of digital systems
The U.S. Department of Defense recently awarded Virginia Tech a $7.5 million Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative grant to study information latency, the measure of how quickly or slowly networked devices transmit information. Virginia Tech will receive the funds over five years.... Read More »
Senate bill would prohibit buying drones from countries deemed national security threats
Legislation that would prohibit the U.S. government from procuring drones manufactured by covered foreign entities identified as national security threats was introduced in the U.S. Senate this week. The American Security Drone Act of 2019 was introduced by Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Rick... Read More »
BAE Systems secures Army vehicle contract
BAE Systems has secured a $318 million Army contract to upgrade M88 recovery vehicles to an M88A3 configuration designed for single-vehicle recovery of the latest version Abrams tank. “As the U.S. Army’s primary recovery vehicle, the M88 plays a critical role in the Army’s Armored Brigade... Read More »
Effort enhances safety of drug evidence testing
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and state forensic lab researchers in Maryland and Vermont have developed a new technique designed to improve drug evidence testing safety. Lab researchers have demonstrated a process allowing police to test whether a baggie or other package... Read More »
Johns Hopkins report finds global preparedness needs improvement to face high-impact respiratory pathogens
A Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security report commissioned by the Global Preparedness Monitoring Board (GPMB) released this week showed the foundations for responding to a high-impact respiratory pathogen pandemic could use some work the world over. A high-impact respiratory pathogen... Read More »
White supremacy connected to rise in hate crimes, ADL reports
U.S.-based white supremacists have dramatically increased their coordination and information sharing which has led to a spike in right-wing extremist violence in the United States and Europe over the past decade, according to a report by the Anti-Defamation League and five European organizations.... Read More »
HHS Secretary meets with Ugandan President to discuss Ebola response efforts
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar met with the Republic of Uganda President Yoweri Museveni this week to discuss a multilateral response to contain the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The United States has long had a partnership with Uganda on... Read More »
GAO reviews opioid vaccine potential, examines challenges with drug adaptability, patient rights and insurance
Opioid vaccines hold the potential to counteract the plague of opioid-affiliated deaths that have swept the United States in recent years, according to the Government Accountability Office (GAO). While clinical trials have begun, numerous barriers remain to use. The matter of what exactly is... Read More »
Measure targets extreme weather preparedness
Reps. Matt Cartwright (D-PA) and Daniel Webster (R-FL) introduced legislation Tuesday designed to enhance extreme weather events preparedness by establishing best practices to protect communities while saving taxpayer money. The PREPARE Act would create an interagency council to provide... Read More »
DHS seeks connection with Maryland small businesses
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program operators are seeking to meet with Maryland-area small businesses to help address homeland security challenges. Entities in the research and development domain are encouraged to attend Friday’s session,... Read More »
DOD awards Iridium $738.5M contract for satellites
The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) through the U.S. Air Force Space Command recently awarded Iridium Communications a $738.5 million, seven-year, fixed-price contract to provide the agency with unlimited satellite services from its unique Low Earth Orbit constellation. Iridium will provide... Read More »
Sen. Warner seeks information from CBP following cyberattack of traveler data
U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) inquired about the information security practices of U.S. Customs and Border Protection contractors following a cyberattack that resulted in the theft of thousands of facial images of U.S. travelers. The June attack led to the theft of at least 100,000 traveler ID... Read More »