The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) has formally released BARDA-CBRN-BAA-12-100-SOL-00011 for “Advanced Research and Development of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Medical Countermeasures.”
The purpose of the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) is to solicit and fund proposals that focus on the following research areas in order to advance the knowledge and scientific understanding of selected countermeasures for CBRN threats toward eventual FDA approval and their inclusion in the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS):
- Vaccines Development
- Antitoxins and Therapeutics
- Antimicrobials and Antivirals
- Radiological and Nuclear Agent Countermeasures
- Chemical Agent Countermeasures
- Diagnostics
Highlighted goals of the funding effort include developing vaccines which require fewer doses to protection, accelerate protective immunity, and which have storage requirements that reduce logistical burdens. Also sought is development of novel small molecule antiviral candidates with activity against one or more biodefense threat agents such as Ebola, Marburg, and Variola viruses.
Development and testing of antibiotics that are in advanced development (Phase I clinical trial ongoing or completed) for post-exposure prophylaxis against multiple biodefense threat agents are specified. Such targets include Bacillus anthracis, Yersinia pestis, Francisella tularensis, Burkholderia mallei, and Burkholderia pseudomallei.
The BAA is not currently considering the area of diagnostics for biological or chemical agents, but does include topics for portable biodosimetry diagnostics to rapidly assess exposures to ionizing radiation. BARDA specifically states interest in previously unfunded biodosimetry technologies such as Metabolomics, Optically Stimulated Luminescence, MicroRNA, Premature Chromosome Condensation, or Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting.
A previously postponed industry day has been rescheduled for the afternoon of July 16, 2012 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Building in Washington D.C. Registration details are contained within the BAA document.
Full details are available under Solicitation Number: BARDA-CBRN-BAA-12-100-SOL-00011. The BAA remains open for one year from date of issue.
