Threats
Legislation seeks to ban 3D printed guns
A group of Democratic legislators recently reintroduced a bill prohibiting the online distribution of blueprints and instructions enabling the printing of three dimensional (3D) firearms. The bicameral 3D Printed Gun Safety Act was introduced by U.S. Sens. Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Robert... Read More »
Dynavax to supply adjuvant for Clover COVID-19 vaccine candidate by year’s end
By the end of 2021, the terms of a new supply agreement will see Dynavax Technologies Corporation deliver its CpG 1018 adjuvant to Clover Biopharmaceuticals for use in its COVID-19 vaccine candidate, SCB-2019. SCB-2019 is a protein-based vaccine that, pending regulatory approvals, is expected to... Read More »
House ICBM Act proposes spending pause for new nuclear missiles
Denouncing further spending on the nuclear Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) program as unnecessary, costly, and promoting a nuclear arms race, U.S. Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA) has introduced legislation to pause development until 2031 and extend the lifespan of existing weapons. “As a... Read More »
Legislators seek accountability for food industry cyberattacks
U.S. Rep. Jim Baird (R-IN) recently led colleagues in sending a letter to President Joe Biden, encouraging the administration to hold China and Russia accountable for food industry cyberattacks. The correspondence addressed recent cyberattacks on infrastructure and the nation's food system and... Read More »
Republican legislators urge DHS to provide update of Trusted Traveler Program renewals
U.S. Reps. Chris Jacobs (R-NY), Peter Meijer (R-MI), Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), and John Katko (R-NY), ranking member of the Homeland Security Committee, recently forwarded correspondence to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding a status update on the backlog of Trusted Traveler... Read More »
NIH-funded adjuvant for COVAXIN COVID-19 vaccine aids India’s pandemic response
The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) reported this week that a COVAXIN adjuvant they funded, Alhydroxiquim-II, is actively aiding the COVID-19 response efforts in India, boosting the COVAXIN vaccine’s efficacy among the millions who have taken it. Alhydroxiquim-II was originally... Read More »
Small studies indicate Moderna COVID-19 vaccine may be effective against Delta, Kappa and Eta variants
Moderna, Inc. released a clinical update of a small Phase 1 trial this week evaluating the performance of its mRNA COVID-19 vaccine against three of the ever-multiplying strains of the disease, including the worrisome Delta variant. Based on serum samples from eight vaccinated participants,... Read More »
Legislators push forward the PASTEUR Act to address antimicrobial resistance
Antibiotics underpin modern medicine— used to treat everything from bacterial infections to cancer. However, a world without effective antibiotics because of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) could mean the unraveling of health care. It also has implications for national security as antibiotics... Read More »
NIST awards nearly $3M to commercialize public safety communications system
On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) awarded $2.99 million in grant funding for new interoperable public safety communication systems. Initially funded by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology... Read More »
Legislation seeks to increase funding for Caribbean Basin Security Initiative
U.S. Reps. Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) and Mark Green (R-TN) introduced last week legislation seeking to increase funding to the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI). The measure garnered advancement in the U.S. House of Representatives last year as efforts with the executive branch continue... Read More »
Bipartisan senators seek updated public transportation travel, mask guidance
A group of lawmakers recently forwarded correspondence to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regarding travel and mask guidance updates. U.S. Sens. Jerry Moran (R-KS), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Amy Klobuchar... Read More »
New report calls for ASPR reforms, greater interagency coordination
A new policy brief released this week by U.S. Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) assessed the role of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) during the COVID-19 pandemic and concluded that reforms are necessary both within the agency and beyond to improve federal pandemic... Read More »
Legislation seeks to address Arctic region security
U.S. Reps. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Elaine Luria (D-VA) recently joined U.S. Sens. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and Angus King (I-ME) in introducing legislation that focuses on assessing Arctic region security while also establishing Department of Defense (DOD) resources there. The Arctic Security... Read More »
DHS S&T awards more than $105,000 to Florida-based Bloodstone Division to develop longer-lasting COVID-19 disinfectant
A small, veteran-owned business in Florida, Bloodstone Division, LLC, earned a $105,877 award from the United States Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) to fund the development of an antiviral disinfectant for COVID-19 and beyond. Traditional disinfecting... Read More »
Senate HELP Committee to oversee three new areas U.S. public health, medical preparedness efforts
Committee leadership for the U.S. Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee announced that it would provide oversight and investigation of three new areas to improve the nation’s pandemic preparedness effort. “More than 600,000 Americans have died as a result of... Read More »
Bill targets cybersecurity literacy effort
A group of lawmakers recently introduced legislation seeking to increase knowledge and awareness of cybersecurity risks via a cybersecurity literacy campaign. U.S. Reps. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Marc Veasey (D-TX), and Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) presented the... Read More »
Rep. Duncan proposes new office to oversee NTIA cybersecurity efforts
With the introduction of new legislation last week, U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-SC) has proposed the creation of the Office of Policy Development and Cybersecurity (OPDC) within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to advance national cybersecurity... Read More »
FirstNet expands public safety access to more than 100 portable cell sites
The FirstNet network expanded the number of unthrottled, deployable network assets for fire, EMS, law enforcement, and other public safety personnel to more than 100 land-based and airborne portable cell sites as of last week. “When disaster strikes, FirstNet is there to support first... Read More »
UNC vaccine research targets coronaviruses
University of North Carolina (UNC) Gillings School of Global Public Health researchers are exploring the potential of a universal vaccine protecting mice against other coronaviruses and variants. Scientists noted coronaviruses continue to be a threat after causing the SARS outbreak 18 years ago,... Read More »
HHS leads Puerto Rico hurricane preparedness exercise
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) personnel are touting the benefits of a Puerto Rico hurricane preparedness exercise. The ASPR indicated collaboration with the Department of Health of Puerto Rico would involve... Read More »
First AMR Preparedness Index finds UK, US top charts tackling rising antimicrobial resistance threat
A new report from the Global Coalition on Aging (GCOA) and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), a first of its kind known as the AMR Preparedness Index, provides an evaluation and roadmap for the 11 largest global economies and their efforts to tackle rising cases of antimicrobial... Read More »
BARDA expands collaboration with Moderna on COVID-19 vaccine trials for children
Under an expanded agreement with Moderna, Inc., the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) announced this week that it will provide program management support and up to $144 million for the Phase 2/3 clinical trial of its COVID-19 vaccine on children. Also known as... Read More »
Rep. Carson introduces bill combating global white supremacist threat
U.S. Rep. Andre Carson (D-IN) introduced legislation Tuesday that would uncover the threats posed by white supremacist groups both in America and abroad. Carson, chair of the House Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Counterintelligence, and counterproliferation, said the groups threaten national... Read More »
Biden administration to invest $3B in COVID-19 antiviral development strategy
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced Tuesday that the Biden Administration would invest more than $3 billion from the American Rescue Plan to discover, develop, and manufacture antiviral COVID-19 medicines. The investment is part of the administration’s “whole of... Read More »
Bill initiates COVID-19-related China sanctions
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) has introduced the COVID Act of 2021, authorizing sanctions against the Chinese Communist Party should it fail to allow a probe into the origins of COVID-19. The sanctions and restrictions would be applied 90 days after enactment concerning a probe of suspected... Read More »
Laredo AMO details migrant apprehension increase
Laredo Air Branch Air and Marine Operations (AMO) personnel have detailed how crew detection, surveillance and tracking operations experienced a 143 percent increase in migrant apprehensions. The Laredo Air Branch Air and Marine Operations (AMO) was involved in the apprehension of 12,400... Read More »
Sanofi Pasteur, Translate Bio launch Phase 1 clinical trial for seasonal mRNA flu vaccine
A new phase one clinical trial kicked off this week for an mRNA-based vaccine against seasonal influenza -- specifically the A/H3N2 strain -- cooperatively developed by Sanofi Pasteur and Translate Bio. With interim data expected by the end of the year, the trial will chart both safety and... Read More »
Medical, healthcare organizations press Congress to support $30B pandemic investments offered in American Jobs Plan
While Congress continues its debate of President Joe Biden’s proposed $2 trillion American Jobs Plan, 25 medical and healthcare stakeholder organizations are urging the legislators to support the $30 billion the plan would direct to prepare for future pandemics. In a letter to Congressional... Read More »
WHO support South African consortium to establish first COVID vaccine tech transfer hub
The World Health Organization (WHO) and its COVAX partners announced they are working with a South African consortium to establish a COVID mRNA vaccine technology transfer hub. The consortium, comprising Biovac, Afrigen Biologics and Vaccines, a network of African universities, and the Africa... Read More »
DHS collaboration highlights research, development initiatives
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) officials are espousing the benefits of a four-part virtual content series highlighting research and threat preparation collaboration. The Virtual Whole-of-Government R&D Showcase focuses on efforts to mobilize... Read More »
Legislation seeks to bolster nation’s wildfire policy
Three legislators recently introduced legislation designed to enhance national wildfire policy by establishing a commission of federal and non-federal stakeholders addressing prevention and mitigation. U.S. Sens. Mitt Romney (R-UT) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) joined Rep. John Curtis (R-UT) in... Read More »
Sotrovimab provides 79 percent reduction in COVID-19 hospitalization in Phase 3 COMET-ICE trial
As a result of phase three COMET-ICE trial data, GlaxoSmithKline plc and Vir Biotechnology, Inc. announced this week that they will push forward with sotrovimab, an investigational monoclonal antibody treatment for SARS-CoV-2. Primary efficacy analysis of 1,057 patients who participated in the... Read More »
CDC, HHS award $200M to 59 jurisdictions supporting disease intervention specialist workers
A combined supplement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) last week spread $200 million among 59 jurisdiction public health programs to expand the disease intervention specialists (DIS) workforce. This funding is... Read More »
Bill targets law enforcement cybercrime prevention
U.S. Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Thom Tillis (R-NC) recently reintroduced a measure designed to provide law enforcement with resources to enhance cybercrime combating initiatives. The International Cybercrime Prevention Act would update... Read More »