Threats
UC San Diego RADx projects receive NIH funding
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has earmarked funding totaling nearly $33 million over four years for five University of California San Diego Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx) projects. The RADx initiative seeks to expedite the development, commercialization, and implementation of... Read More »
CBP, partners seize more than $58M worth of cocaine in Eastern Pacific Ocean
A Customs and Border Protection (CBP) collaboration with federal authorities recently resulted in the seizure of 1.7 tons of cocaine worth over $58 million. The efforts of the agency's Air and Marine Operations (AMO) National Air Security Operations Center (NASOC) P-3 crews and those of federal... Read More »
BARDA, LightDeck Diagnostics agreement seeks development of rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen test
The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) recently partnered with LightDeck Diagnostics to create a six-minute SARS-CoV-2 antigen test usable without the need for a full diagnostic laboratory. This point of care test could be used for on-site screening of suspected... Read More »
FDA authorizes Quidel QuickVue At-Home COVID-19 Test for emergency use
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted emergency use authorization Monday for the Quidel QuickVue At-Home COVID-19 Test. An antigen test, QuickVue will allow users suspected of having COVID-19 by their healthcare provider within the first six days of symptom onset to quickly collect... Read More »
Rep. Reed introduces $163B bill to fight COVID-19
U.S. Rep. Tom Reed (R-NY) introduced a $163 billion bill to funds efforts to mitigate the effects of COVID-19. The Crush The Virus Act (H.R. 1371) provides $163 billion in funding to increase the distribution and administration of COVID-19 vaccines, boost access to COVID-19 testing throughout... Read More »
Sens. Klobuchar, Burr reintroduce legislation focusing on communications networks during natural disasters
U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Richard Burr (R-NC) reintroduced legislation designed to improve communications networks during natural disasters Wednesday. The Emergency Reporting Act would ensure the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) provided resources to state and local governments... Read More »
FDA adds more flexible storage, transportation alternative for Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced this week that undiluted frozen vials of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine will now be allowed to be transported and stored at conventional pharmaceutical freezer temperatures for up to two weeks. While the preferred storage for this... Read More »
DHS resources aid GPS spoofing prevention
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) officials are espousing the benefits of resources designed to address GPS spoofing activity. The Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) Integrity Library and Epsilon Algorithm Suite seeks to protect against Global... Read More »
Lawmakers address post SolarWinds, other breach actions
Lawmakers representing the Committee on Oversight and Reform and Committee on Homeland Security recently conducted joint hearings to examine potential actions after cybersecurity incidents impacting government and private sector networks. The panels detailed the supply chain attacks targeting... Read More »
Sen. Peters seeks to clarify Northern border travel restrictions
Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) said he is encouraging the Biden Administration to prioritize communication and clarify to Michiganders and Americans regarding continuing Northern border travel restrictions. Peters, chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, recently forwarded... Read More »
Janssen COVID-19 vaccine becomes third authorized for emergency use by FDA
The United States will now benefit from the rollout of a third COVID-19 vaccine, following last week’s emergency use authorization (EUA) of the Janssen vaccine by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). That decision came in the wake of recommendations from an advisory panel known as the... Read More »
Report: Pandemic left EDs overwhelmed, challenged to maintain standards of care
A new report from Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security found that emergency departments in New York City hospitals were overwhelmed and struggled to maintain conventional standards of care during the COVID-19 pandemic. The report, “Crisis Standards of Care: Lessons from New York City... Read More »
Regeneron makes changes to Phase 3 trial for its COVID-19 treatment
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals is making changes to the Phase 3 trial of its Regen-COV treatment for outpatients with COVID-19. The changes come at the recommendation of the Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC), which said to no longer use a placebo group in the trial. IDMC found clear... Read More »
DHS initiatives target terrorism prevention, response
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials are touting the release of the funding notice for eight different types of terrorism prevention and preparedness grants totaling almost $1.87 billion. “In the almost 20 years since September 11, 2001, the terrorism threat landscape has changed... Read More »
Orlando to receive anti-terrorism funds
Lawmakers said Orlando, Fla., has received $3.8 million in terror-prevention and preparedness grant funds via the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI). Reps. Stephanie Murphy (D-FL), Val Demings (D-FL), and Darren Soto (D-FL) indicated the city's... Read More »
Pfizer, BioNTech launch study into potential COVID-19 booster vaccine, adaptation of vaccine variants
Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech announced the beginning of an evaluation into the safety and immunogenicity of a third dose of their COVID-19 vaccine last week to study the effects of a booster vaccine against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. This will be offered to up to 144 participants from the phase... Read More »
FDA advisory committee expected to recommend Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use in United States
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is holding an advisory committee meeting on Friday during which the committee is expected to recommend a single-dose Johnson & Johnson (J&J)-Janssen Biotech SARS-CoV-2 vaccine to become the third COVID-19 vaccine available for emergency use to... Read More »
Senate bill supports Biden efforts to rejoin Iran Nuclear Deal
A group of Senators introduced legislation supporting President Joe Biden’s efforts to rejoin the Iran Nuclear Deal, also called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The Iran Diplomacy Act Full says the United States and Iran should promptly return to full compliance with all of... Read More »
Emergency Reporting Act introduced in Congress
Legislation recently introduced in both houses of Congress seeks to improve the resiliency of communications networks during emergencies. With extreme weather events on the rise, it is critical to engage the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to help local governments prepare for and... Read More »
Bill targets firefighter PFAS chemical exposure
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) has introduced a bill designed to better protect firefighters in New York and nationwide from toxic exposure to PFAS chemicals. PFAS are used as an ingredient in special foam used to fight fires, called aqueous film forming foam (AFFF). The use of the foam,... Read More »
COVAX delivers first COVID-19 vaccine doses to Ghana to start global rollout
The first 600,000 doses of the AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID-19 vaccine allocated to the COVAX Facility have been delivered to Ghana, with further deliveries expected to reach Cote d’Ivoire later this week. It marks the beginning of a global rollout long in the planning and the first COVAX vaccine... Read More »
National Cancer Institute study suggests those infected by SARS-CoV-2 may be protected from reinfection
According to a new study from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), at least a few months of protection may be granted against reinfection to those with SARS-CoV-2. As part of the National Institutes of Health, NCI worked with healthcare data analytics companies HealthVerity and Aetion, Inc. and... Read More »
Bipartisan Cyber Diplomacy Act introduced in House
A bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives to ensure that the U.S. strengthens partnerships with international allies to combat cyberattacks in a unified approach. The Cyber Diplomacy Act of 2021 (H.R. 1251), sponsored by Michael McCaul (R-TX), would also advocate for the State... Read More »
Lockheed Martin secures Navy, Air Force missile contract
The Navy and Air Force have awarded Lockheed Martin a $414 million contract for Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) production. The agreement represents the largest LRASM production pact in the program's history. The combined Lot 4/5 contract continues production of the air-launched variant of... Read More »
Lawmakers probe Facebook’s alleged role in extremist content growth
A group of lawmakers recently forwarded correspondence to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, seeking insight regarding the company’s alleged role in knowingly allowing extremist content and groups growth on its platform. Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Oversight... Read More »
Phase 1B clinical trial of INOVIO’s DNA vaccine for Lassa fever commences dosing
A Phase 1B clinical trial of Lassa fever vaccine INO-4500, developed by INOVIO, began dosing its first patient this week in Ghana. The vaccine is a first on several fronts: the first candidate for Lassa fever to begin human trials and the first to have trials conducted in West Africa, where the... Read More »
Regeneron monoclonal antibodies display efficacy against MERS in first human testing
A pair of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) developed by Regeneron have shown promising signs against the coronavirus that causes Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) in a phase one clinical trial that marked the first such test conducted on people. In all, the National Institute of Allergy and... Read More »
Valneva initiates Phase 3 study for its chikungunya vaccine candidate
Specialty vaccine company Valneva has initiated a Phase 3 study for its single-shot chikungunya vaccine candidate, VLA1553. VLA1553 is the only chikungunya vaccine candidate in Phase 3 clinical trials. Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV).... Read More »
DHS announces plan to increase efforts to enhance cybersecurity
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is taking steps to elevate cybersecurity and mitigate risks throughout the federal government. As part of its plan, DHS is strengthening its partnerships with the private sector and expanding its investment in the infrastructure and people required to... Read More »
DHS S&T outlines proactive African Swine Fever approach
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) personnel said the agency is aiding the scientific community and government decision-makers in proactive African Swine Fever approaches. “Just because a disease isn’t currently present in the United States,... Read More »
Rep. Gallagher reintroduces three bills targeting border protection
Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) recently reintroduced three bills seeking to bolster the nation's borders, combat corruption and instability in Mexico and address the immigration court backlogs. “President Biden’s immigration proposal grants amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants does not... Read More »
New FDA policies seek to guide medical product developers through vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics of COVID-19 variants
New guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released this week reaches out to medical product developers to address effective means of modifying various medical products to meet the threats posed by new variants of SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has... Read More »
Sanofi lends manufacturing support to Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 while pursuing own vaccine
In an effort to meet global supply demands, Sanofi has agreed to support the manufacturing of a COVID-19 vaccine made by Janssen Pharmaceutical NV and Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., both of which are part of Johnson & Johnson. The Janssen candidate has been submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug... Read More »
COVID-19 vaccine makers report vast step-up in capacity
Five COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers assured Congress Tuesday that they are closely watching the emergence of new variants of COVID-19 and are optimistic the two vaccines currently approved in the United States and a third poised for approval will treat those new variants that have emerged in the... Read More »