Threats
NTI paper on COVID-19 lessons notes improvements needed to properly prepare for nuclear emergencies
Lessons from one disaster can provide insights into the next and maybe even help prevent them – an idea carried forward in a new paper on COVID-19 commissioned by the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) and written by retired Major Gen. Julie Bentz. In the paper, Bentz – a former major general... Read More »
KBR secures Defense Department contract for missile defense system
Engineering firm KBR has secured a Department of Defense (DoD) Information Analysis Center contract to support the Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept on Target (PATRIOT) missile defense system. The scope of the $207 million contract involves analyzing PATRIOT's overall performance while... Read More »
Republican legislators requesting southern border hearing
A group of lawmakers recently forwarded correspondence to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, requesting a hearing regarding the nation's southern border. U.S. Sens. Rick Scott (R-FL), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Rob Portman (R-OH), Ron Johnson (R-WI), James Lankford... Read More »
FDA grants breakthrough therapy designation to Bavarian Nordic RSV vaccine for elderly
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted breakthrough therapy designation to a Bavarian Nordic A/S vaccine candidate known as MVA-BN RSV this week, setting the preventative for RSV up for a hastened review and development cycle. The vaccine’s focus, known as respiratory... Read More »
FDA authorizes bebtelovimab monoclonal antibody treatment to counter Omicron
The COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatment known as bebtelovimab was granted emergency use authorization (EUA) last week by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), thanks to its displayed capabilities against the dominant Omicron variant. Omicron has changed the field of the ongoing... Read More »
WHO prequalifies Roche’s tocilizumab as its first monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19
While monoclonal antibodies have made headway in some countries more than others, the World Health Organization (WHO), for the first time last week, offered prequalification to Roche’s tocilizumab treatment, smoothing the path to more widespread approval. Prequalification guarantees that the... Read More »
Bill seeks to bolster gun background checks
U.S. Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) has introduced a measure designed to bolster the gun background check system. Officials said the Preventing Pretrial Gun Purchases Act amends federal gun laws as a means of ensuring the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) denies gun sales... Read More »
Republican representatives seek clarity on ground-based missiles strategy
A group of Republican legislators recently forwarded correspondence to President Joe Biden, seeking clarity on re-imposing limits on ground-based missiles in Europe and the Indo-Pacific. U.S. Reps. Mike Gallagher (R-WI), Mike Rogers (R-AL), Michael McCaul (R-TX), Michael Turner (R-OH), Elise... Read More »
Reps. Kelly, Demings advocate enhanced public safety
Lawmakers and law enforcement personnel recently gathered in Washington, DC, to address the national rise in violent crime and the need to keep communities safe. U.S. Reps. Robin L. Kelly (D-IL) and Val Demings (D-FL) previously introduced the Violent Incident Clearance and Technological... Read More »
Republicans demand Biden administration action on fentanyl flooding United States
In a letter to President Joe Biden, 116 Republican members of Congress, led by U.S. Rep. Bran Steil (WI), pressed the administration to immediately crack down on fentanyl distribution and list the drug as a permanent Schedule 1 substance. Drug overdoses have been on the rise for years, though... Read More »
HHS purchases 600,000 courses of bebtelovimab antibody treatment for use against Omicron
With the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 now dominating the pandemic’s reach, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has sought ways to halt its effects, and as part of this effort, last week purchased 600,000 courses of a new monoclonal antibody. This antibody, known as... Read More »
DARPA details crewless UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter flight
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) recently detailed the inaugural crewless flight of a UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter utilizing the Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System (ALIAS). “With reduced workloads, pilots can focus on mission management instead of the mechanics,”... Read More »
NIH uses $4.5M in grant funds to create collaborative research centers focused on Valley Fever
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) last week announced the allocation of $4.5 million across three grant awards to create collaborative research centers in the United States, focusing specifically on investigating treatments and vaccines specifically related to Valley Fever. These centers... Read More »
DHS affirms collaborative Super Bowl security initiative
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it has worked with state and local law enforcement personnel to ensure employee, player, and fan safety during Super Bowl LVI. “The Department of Homeland Security is fundamentally a department of partnerships, and those... Read More »
ACT-Accelerator launches global campaign to close $23B pandemic funding gap in 2022
Years into a global pandemic, the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator and affiliated world leaders have called for fair, shared-based financing of approximately $23 billion in 2022 to overcome inequalities in medical access, scale-up countermeasure efforts, and end the COVID-19... Read More »
Sen. Rubio seeks to end U.S.-China university partnerships that bolster development of Chinese military technologies
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) has forwarded correspondence to 22 domestic universities, noting he is encouraging termination of partnerships in support of Beijing’s military-civil fusion (MCF) strategy. The issue stands with universities located in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) backing the... Read More »
Strengthening American Cybersecurity Act seeks added protections against cybersecurity threats
This week, U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Gary Peters (D-MI) introduced a legislative package known as the Strengthening American Cybersecurity Act that proposes new requirements for private owners and federal agencies alike to address cybersecurity. “It is clear that, as our nation... Read More »
Merck, Ridgeback reach 3.1 million doses of molnupiravir supplied to U.S. government
Distribution of Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics’ oral antiviral COVID-19 medicine molnupiravir reached a new milestone this week, with approximately 3.1 million courses provided to the United States government. The companies are increasing access to the drug internationally, and according... Read More »
U.S. Air Force awards $17M warfighter health protection contract to Battelle
The U.S. Air Force has awarded a five-year, $17 million contract to Battelle to conduct research that advances health protection for the warfighter in present and near-future operational environments, the company announced Wednesday. Awarded under the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Airman... Read More »
Rep. Kim establishes human trafficking task force
Rep. Young Kim (R-CA) said she has established a Human Trafficking Congressional Task Force to combat human trafficking while aiding Orange, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino county victims. “Human trafficking is modern-day slavery that exploits some of the most vulnerable members of our... Read More »
Bill addresses China-affiliated drone purchases
U.S. Reps. Garret Graves (R-LA) and Seth Moulton (D-MA) have introduced a bill seeking to prohibit the use of federal grants to purchase drones produced by companies associated with the Chinese government. The Infrastructure Grant Security Act ensures the increased integration of drones does not... Read More »
Operation Overdrive: New DEA operation targets drug violence, overdoses in U.S. cities
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) launched a new initiative this week to combat drug-related violent crime and overdose deaths in 34 major cities across 23 states. Known as Operation Overdrive, this initiative intends to attack the criminal drug supply chain and associated violence as a... Read More »
National terrorist threats remain high due to proliferation of conspiracy theories, misinformation
According to the latest National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) Bulletin from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), threat levels throughout the country remain heightened due to mis-, dis-, and mal-information, stoked by foreign and domestic sources. While much focus has been paid to... Read More »
Valneva, Pfizer Lyme disease vaccine candidate to enter Phase 3 testing following positive immune showings
Phase 2 testing of a Lyme disease vaccine candidate, VLA15, produced strong immune responses, according to the newest data from Valneva SE and Pfizer inc, prompting preparations for a Phase 3 study in the third quarter of 2022. The VLA15-221 trial produced stronger responses in adult... Read More »
DHS issues RFI for wildland firefighter respiratory protection
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) has issued a request for information (RFI) regarding respiratory protection for wildland firefighters. The effort coincides with a market survey executed by S&T’s National Urban Security Technology... Read More »
Justice Department study examines domestic mass shootings
The Office of Justice Programs’ (OJP) National Institute of Justice (NIJ) has released study findings regarding traits of persons who engaged in mass shootings between 1966 and 2019. “This study — one of the most extensive assessments of mass violence to date—reveals a deeply unsettling... Read More »
Detect, Inc. to develop rapid, molecular over-the-counter COVID-19 and flu test with BARDA support
The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) awarded a contract to Detect, Inc. last week for the development of an over-the-counter test capable of detecting SARS-CoV-2, as well as influenza A and B, within 30 minutes. This rapid diagnostic – the Detect COVID/Flu Test... Read More »
Bill addresses Congressional authority over international arms sales
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) has re-introduced the Values in Arms Export Act of 2022, which seeks to restore Congressional authority over international arms sales. Additionally, the legislation would prevent domestic arms from being used to violate the laws of war and human rights.... Read More »
Sens. Rubio, Coons introduce Agility in Manufacturing Preparedness Act to bolster domestic biopharmaceutical manufacturing
A combined legislative effort from U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Chris Coons (D-DE) brought the Agility in Manufacturing Preparedness Act (S.3553) to the Senate this week, offering a proposal of how to improve domestic biopharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities for public health... Read More »
DHS launches Cyber Safety Review Board
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently launched Cyber Safety Review Board (CSRB), maintaining it would unite government and industry leaders to bolster cybersecurity. Authorities indicated the CSRB was formed in accordance with President Joe Biden’s Executive Order 14028 on... Read More »
Senate advances legislation bolstering FEMA disaster response efforts
U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Alex Padilla (D-CA) have offered responses regarding the Senate advancing legislation they sponsored targeting bolstered Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) disaster response efforts. The Achieving Equity in Disaster Response, Recovery and Resilience... Read More »
NIAID issues new Pandemic Preparedness Plan, shifting focus to prototype viruses and known viral dangers
The U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) released a new Pandemic Preparedness Plan this week, directing its research efforts toward identifying pathogens with potential for significant spread among humans and those already known to be major threats. Informed by a... Read More »
NIAID issues more than $4.5M through three awards to aid valley fever research
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) awarded more than $4.5 million in total awards this week to support research into valley fever being conducted by the Universities of California-San Francisco, California-Los Angeles, and Texas-San Antonio. That money will be... Read More »
House Active Shooter Alert Act proposes AMBER Alert-like system for notifying public of gun danger
In introducing the Active Shooter Alert Act (H.R.6538) to the House this week, U.S. Reps. David Cicilline (D-RI) and Fred Upton (R-MI) proposed creating a system similar to the AMBER Alert system for law enforcement to use in notifying the public of active, local gun violence. AMBER Alerts are... Read More »