Threats
Lawmakers seek assurances on continued immunization efforts
A group of lawmakers recently forwarded correspondence to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) personnel, seeking continued immunization efforts. Sens. Tom Carper (D-DE), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Tina... Read More »
BARDA, Vaxxas reach $22M agreement for phase 1 trials of needle-free vaccine technology
Over the course of three years, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) will pay approximately $22 million to Vaxxas to fund phase 1 clinical trials in the U.S. and Australia for a high-density microarray patch capable of administering vaccines needle-free. This comes... Read More »
NIH awards $98.35M in RADx contracts for six COVID-19 testing technologies
A joint effort between the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) brought $98.35 million to COVID-19 testing efforts this week, as part of six contracts awarded under the Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx) initiative. The... Read More »
DHS develops new technology to secure apps from cyber attackers
A new technology called Trusted Mobile System (TrustMS) developed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is designed to secure apps from cyber attackers. TrustMS, developed by the DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) and Intelligent... Read More »
CARB-X awards $2.5M to GangaGen to develop antibacterial proteins
Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator (CARB-X) -- a global non-profit dedicated to antibacterial research – is awarding up to $2.5 million to GangaGen Biotechnologies to develop novel antibacterial proteins. GangaGen, based in Bangalore, India, will develop... Read More »
KBR completes Centauri acquisition
The professional services firm KBR, Inc. has completed the acquisition of independent provider of space, directed energy, and advanced technology solutions Centauri, LLC from Arlington Capital Partners. The acquisition expands KBR's military space and intelligence business, as well as the... Read More »
Researchers tout COVID-19 testing efficacy innovation
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) researchers maintain they have developed a means of increasing primary SARS-CoV-2 virus testing sensitivity to help identify those who are asymptomatic. Findings published in Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry outlined a mathematical... Read More »
Mapp Biopharmaceutical becomes latest BARDA partner, for Botulinum treatment
The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) has partnered with Mapp Biopharmaceutical, Inc. to develop a new monoclonal antibody therapeutic for all seven major types of Botulinum Neurotoxin. Botulinum is an incredibly lethal substance responsible for botulism, though it... Read More »
HHS Secretary Giroir to participate in virtual WHO COVID-19 session
The World Health Organization (WHO) hosted a special session of its Executive Board this week, providing an opportunity for discussion and review with Member States and seeking their guidance regarding strategic response efforts for COVID-19. While President Donald Trump announced earlier this... Read More »
U.S. must bolster security for biological threats, say federal agency leaders
The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged individual and cooperative efforts by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and the U.S. State Department to counter biological threats around the world, prompting lawmakers to reevaluate the dangers that infectious disease outbreaks pose to U.S. national... Read More »
Sens. Hoeven, Rosen seek to enhance cybersecurity at US Department of Energy
U.S. Sens. John Hoeven (R-ND) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) introduced legislation that would create a voluntary Cyber Sense program at the Department of Energy to test the cybersecurity of products and technologies intended for use in the bulk-power system The Cyber Sense Act (S.4795) would also... Read More »
Rep. Thompson urges House rules changes to allow for DHS reforms
Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) is advocating for a change to the House of Representative’s Rules to give the Committee on Homeland Security primary jurisdiction over the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Both Republicans and Democrats have expressed openness to revisiting House Rule X and... Read More »
DHS hosts terrorism prevention forum
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said personnel within the agency’s Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention program (TVTP) recently hosted its fifth Digital Forum on Terrorism Prevention. The initiative primarily involved Atlanta-based civil society leaders, providing an opportunity... Read More »
Bipartisan lawmakers seek ports reopening plan
A group of lawmakers recently forwarded correspondence to Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf, seeking insight regarding Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plans to reopen southern entry ports. Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) joined Reps. Henry Cuellar (D-TX),... Read More »
Veklury made available directly from distributor Gilead as government pulls back
Following three successful clinical trials, Veklury (remdesivir) is now available for hospital purchase directly from its distributor, Gilead Sciences, ending the government’s distribution role. The move follows five months during which the U.S. government managed allocation and distribution... Read More »
CEPI launches centralized, global network of labs for COVID-19 vaccine analysis
With an initial five laboratories, the Coalition of Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) has launched a network of labs worldwide, collectively focused on helping COVID-19 vaccine developers uniformly evaluate and identify successful candidates. By centralizing, the hope is to assess and... Read More »
USAID outlines zoonotic viral disease initiative
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has selected Tufts University to spearhead a $100 million program to assess and address zoonotic viral disease threats such as SARS-CoV-2. The effort would target spillover from animals to humans to reduce the risk of infection,... Read More »
FBI, NCSC film highlights foreign intelligence actions
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC) have released a film designed to increase awareness regarding foreign intelligence activities. The presentation outlines how entities use fake profiles and other forms of deception on social... Read More »
The Rockefeller Foundation, HHS will develop best practices for scale rapid POC antigen tests for COVID-19
As part of a community-focused move, particularly among schools, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and The Rockefeller Foundation have agreed to identify and share effective approaches for using rapid point-of-care antigen tests to screen for COVID-19. The pilot... Read More »
Reps. Spanberger, Katko introduce bill to protect against foreign influence in elections
U.S. Reps. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) and John Katko (R-NY) introduced legislation to protect against foreign influence designed to weaken the U.S. electoral system. A statement from the U.S. Intelligence Community reported in August that “foreign states will continue to use covert and overt... Read More »
Facility expands weapons modernization testing capacity
Sandia National Laboratories personnel are espousing the benefits of its Sandia Programs Engineering and Assembly Research (SPEAR) facility, which officials said would expand weapons modernization testing capacity. Lisa E. Gordon-Hagerty, administrator of the National Nuclear Security... Read More »
BARDA providing millions for antibiotic-resistant infection drug efforts from Vedanta, Locus
A pair of investigational drugs targeting antibiotic-resistant infections will receive nearly $20 million in initial funding from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) to support phase two and three clinical trials and other efforts to reach U.S. Food and Drug... Read More »
ACT Accelerator gathers nearly $1B in new donations for multilateral COVID-19 response
The United Nations reported a major milestone this week for the global Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator initiative, collecting nearly $1 billion in new financing to guarantee tests, treatment and vaccines for COVID-19. The ACT Accelerator is a joint effort by the World Health... Read More »
House China Task Force makes recommendations to address threats, strength supply chains
Members of the House China Task released its final legislative report, which includes an assessment of the growing threats posed by China, policies that strengthen America’s supply chains and economy, and opportunities to expand agriculture. The task force, which launched in May, met with 125... Read More »
HHA awards $3M to Denver Health and Hospital Authority
The Denver Health and Hospital Authority signed a $3 million cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) to demonstrate the effectiveness of a Regional Disaster Health Response System... Read More »
TSA, CBP extend Preclearance program invitation
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials said the agencies have invited airports to participate in the Preclearance program for the first time in four years. “Preclearance is an excellent passenger facilitation program that complements our... Read More »Moderna COVID-19 vaccine provokes strong immune response among older adults in phase one trial
A phase one trial of a COVID-19 vaccine jointly developed by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and Moderna, Inc. brought positive results, triggering strong immune responses among older volunteers while proving well-tolerated. According to a report published this... Read More »
BARDA, Invirsa eye treatment for ocular conditions caused by DNA damage
BARDA is partnering with Inversa to develop a treatment for eye problems associated with DNA damage, particularly those caused by chemical agents like sulfur mustard gas. Ingrained in the public mind since its widespread use in WWI, sulfur mustard is a means of chemical warfare that causes the... Read More »NTI releases report with recommendations on responding to biological events
A new report from the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) says some gaps need to be addressed in the international system to prevent and respond to biological events. NTI is calling on national and global leaders to take action now to prevent future biological events that could match or exceed the... Read More »
Reps. Moulton, Banks release report on future of defense
Reps. Seth Moulton (D-MA) and Jim Banks (R-IN), the co-chairs of the Future of Defense Task Force, released their final report with recommendations to enhance the national security innovation base to meet emerging threats. Specifically, the report suggests strategies to win the artificial... Read More »
Sen. Tester introduces bill designed to help federal firefighters
U.S. Sen. Jon Tester introduced a bill that seeks to correct a longstanding disparity between federal firefighters and their state, local, and municipal counterparts. The Federal Firefighter Flexibility and Fairness Act would allow federal firefighters more flexibility in shift trades without... Read More »
Lawmakers urge congressional leaders to take action on COVID-19 relief
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Rep. Josh Harder (D-CA) are among a group of lawmakers urging congressional leadership to include a six-month extension for states and local governments to spend their funding allocations provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in... Read More »
Bill targets fraudulent firearms, ammunition sales
Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) introduced a measure they said is designed to make it illegal to fraudulently sell firearms and ammunition online by circumventing technology companies’ terms of service. The Stop Online Fraudulent Sales of Firearms Act is part of a larger... Read More »
GAO calls for NNSA to develop formal plans detailing cost, benefit and risk of W87-1 warhead program
National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) plans to replace the W78 nuclear warhead with the W87-1 in 2030 are hamstrung by a lack of formal plans to assess cost, schedule, benefits, or risk, with as much as $14.8 billion on the line, according to the Government Accountability Office... Read More »