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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250929T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250929T150000
DTSTAMP:20250925T173943Z
CREATED:20250925T173943Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250925T173943Z
UID:63198-1759150800-1759158000@globalbiodefense.com
SUMMARY:Meeting of the Novel and Exceptional Technology and Research Advisory Committee (NExTRAC)
DESCRIPTION:The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will host the next public meeting of the Novel and Exceptional Technology and Research Advisory Committee (NExTRAC) on September 29\, 2025\, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM (ET). This virtual meeting will bring together leaders in biomedical research\, clinical science\, and public health to deliberate on how best to engage the public as partners in clinical research. \nPurpose and Objectives\nThe upcoming meeting will focus on the Draft Report of the Engaging the Public as Partners in Clinical Research (ENGAGE) Working Group. Established by NIH in 2023\, the ENGAGE Working Group was charged with developing a framework to incorporate patient and community voices into NIH-funded clinical research. Its goals include: \n\nCreating a unified vision for public engagement in clinical research.\nDeveloping a practical framework with objectives and action steps across the research lifecycle.\nOffering recommendations to NIH on how to standardize meaningful\, equitable\, and sustainable engagement in clinical research.\n\nThis work responds directly to the NIH Director’s priority of rebuilding trust in clinical research and ensuring that studies are relevant\, feasible\, and impactful for the communities they are designed to serve. \nMeeting Highlights and Speakers\nThe agenda will include: \n\nWelcome and Recognition of NExTRAC Accomplishments\nLyric Jorgenson\, PhD\, Associate Director for Science Policy\, NIH\nCinnamon Bloss\, PhD\, University of California\, San Diego\nPresentation of the Draft ENGAGE Report\nSuzanne Bakken\, RN\, PhD\, Columbia University\nChristin Veasley\, Chronic Pain Research Alliance\nDeliberation on the Draft Report with NExTRAC members\, followed by closing reflections from Dr. Bloss.\n\n Why This Meeting Matters\nThe draft report underscores that clinical research engagement improves recruitment and retention\, increases study relevance\, builds public trust\, and strengthens dissemination of results. At the same time\, it acknowledges persistent challenges—such as financial constraints\, lack of training\, and limited organizational support—that can hinder meaningful engagement. \nTo address these\, the ENGAGE Working Group has proposed: \n\nCentering communities in research priorities.\nBuilding partnerships through trusted voices.\nDeveloping sustainable infrastructure and training.\nEnsuring fair compensation and recognition for community partners.\n\n Who Should Attend\nThis meeting will be of particular interest to: \n\nPublic health professionals and epidemiologists.\nGlobal health security experts.\nClinical and translational researchers.\nPatient advocacy leaders and community-based health organizations.\nPolicy professionals interested in research governance and public trust in science.\n\nBy attending\, participants will gain insights into the NIH’s evolving framework for research engagement and the policy directions that may shape future NIH-funded studies. \nFor more information about the NExTRAC meeting\, including registration details and access to meeting materials\, visit the NIH Office of Science Policy event page.
URL:https://globalbiodefense.com/event/meeting-of-the-novel-and-exceptional-technology-and-research-advisory-committee-nextrac/
LOCATION:
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250930T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250930T170000
DTSTAMP:20250925T170137Z
CREATED:20250925T170053Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250925T170137Z
UID:63188-1759240800-1759251600@globalbiodefense.com
SUMMARY:Strengthening and Modernizing Biosafety Oversight: Region 1 Listening Session
DESCRIPTION:On September 30\, 2025\, the National Institutes of Health (NIH)\, in collaboration with the New England Biological Safety Association\, the Northeast Biological Safety Association\, the Mid-Atlantic Biological Safety Association\, and the Chesapeake Area Biological Safety Association\, will host the first in a series of public regional listening sessions aimed at strengthening and modernizing biosafety oversight. \nThis Region 1 session will take place virtually from 2:00–5:00 PM ET and will prioritize participation from stakeholders located in Maine\, New Hampshire\, Vermont\, Massachusetts\, Connecticut\, Rhode Island\, New York\, Pennsylvania\, New Jersey\, Delaware\, West Virginia\, Maryland\, and Washington\, D.C.. \nPurpose and Objectives\nThe initiative reflects NIH’s commitment to updating its biosafety framework in light of evolving research practices and new challenges in global health security. The listening session is designed to: \n\nGather Stakeholder Input: Solicit feedback on the scope of NIH’s biosafety policy\, including whether it should continue to focus on recombinant and synthetic nucleic acids or expand to encompass wild-type biological agents\, proteins (e.g.\, toxins\, prions)\, infectious microbes\, and other hazardous biological materials.\nAssess Oversight Needs: Identify categories of research that may warrant reduced local or NIH oversight\, such as non-biomedical research under USDA or EPA purview\, FDA-regulated clinical research\, or low-risk projects involving RG1 agents or certain transgenic organisms.\nPromote Transparency and Engagement: Provide a platform for scientists\, biosafety professionals\, and other stakeholders to share their perspectives on creating a more modern\, risk-based biosafety oversight system.\n\n \nFormat and Participation\nThe session will be webcast live via NIH Videocast\, ensuring accessibility for participants across the region. Pre-registration is required\, and attendees are encouraged to indicate if they wish to provide oral comments. Requests to make comments must be submitted by September 29\, 2025. \nAll oral contributions\, as well as written feedback\, will be considered as NIH and its partners refine the direction of biosafety modernization. Importantly\, the session is free and open to the public\, reinforcing the initiative’s emphasis on inclusivity and diverse stakeholder engagement. \nWho Should Attend\nThis session is particularly relevant to: \n\nPublic health and global health security professionals\nBiosafety officers and laboratory managers\nAcademic and government researchers conducting life sciences or biomedical research\nRegulatory and compliance officials working with NIH\, USDA\, EPA\, or FDA frameworks\nEpidemiologists and infectious disease experts interested in policy intersections with research oversight\n\nLooking Ahead\nThe Region 1 event represents just the beginning of NIH’s nationwide effort. By engaging local and regional stakeholders\, NIH aims to shape a modern\, flexible biosafety oversight framework that balances scientific innovation with safety and public trust. \nFor more information\, including the draft agenda\, registration link\, and participation details\, please visit the NIH Office of Science Policy’s event webpage.
URL:https://globalbiodefense.com/event/nih-strengthening-and-modernizing-biosafety-oversight-region-1-listening-session/
CATEGORIES:Government Hosted
LOCATION:
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251006
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251008
DTSTAMP:20250921T174625Z
CREATED:20250921T174430Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250921T174625Z
UID:63142-1759708800-1759881599@globalbiodefense.com
SUMMARY:ASPR Industry Roundtable on Domestic Manufacturing of Personal Protective Equipment
DESCRIPTION:The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)\, through its Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR)\, will convene the Industry Roundtable on Domestic Manufacturing of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) on October 6–7\, 2025 in Washington\, DC. The event will bring together federal\, state\, local\, tribal\, territorial\, industry\, and healthcare partners as a key forum to strengthen national public health preparedness and response by addressing both the opportunities and challenges of ensuring a reliable and effective PPE supply chain. \nEvent Overview\nThe roundtable will focus on the current challenges\, emerging innovations\, and collaborative strategies that shape the domestic PPE manufacturing landscape. Discussions will emphasize how the healthcare sector\, suppliers\, and governments at every level can work together to build resilience and improve preparedness for future public health emergencies. \nA core component of this event is the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) Planning Session\, which will provide: \n\nAn overview of SNS operations.\nPanel discussions on jurisdictional stockpiling practices.\nApproaches to procurement and distribution.\nInsights on collaborative exercises and ongoing SNS initiatives.\n\n Objectives\nThe roundtable aims to: \n\nFoster dialogue across sectors to address PPE availability and effectiveness.\nHighlight innovations in materials\, design\, and manufacturing that can strengthen supply chains.\nExplore strategies for ensuring PPE resilience during future crises.\nProvide public health stakeholders with practical insights into SNS programs and partnerships.\n\nWho Should Attend?\nThis event is designed for a wide range of stakeholders in health security and emergency preparedness\, including: \n\nPPE manufacturers and raw material suppliers.\nHealthcare providers and hospital system representatives.\nFederal\, state\, local\, tribal\, and territorial government officials.\nDistributors\, logistics providers\, and supply chain experts.\nAcademic and research institutions working on PPE and public health resilience.\n\nWhy It Matters\nThe COVID-19 pandemic underscored the critical importance of reliable PPE supply chains in protecting frontline workers and sustaining effective public health responses. The ASPR roundtable represents a concerted effort to ensure that lessons learned are applied to build stronger\, more resilient systems for the future. \nFor full details and registration\, visit the ASPR PPE Roundtable event website.
URL:https://globalbiodefense.com/event/aspr-industry-roundtable-on-domestic-manufacturing-of-personal-protective-equipment/
LOCATION:Constitution Center Conference Facility\, 400 7th St SW\, Washington\, DC\, 20024\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251022
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251024
DTSTAMP:20250602T191706Z
CREATED:20250602T191706Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250602T191706Z
UID:62502-1761091200-1761263999@globalbiodefense.com
SUMMARY:Improving Resiliency in the U.S. Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Through Make-Buy-Invest Strategic Actions: A Workshop
DESCRIPTION:The National Academies of Sciences\, Engineering\, and Medicine (NASEM) will host a two-day hybrid public workshop titled Improving Resiliency in the U.S. Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Through Make-Buy-Invest Strategic Actions\, taking place October 22–23\, 2025\, at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center in Washington\, DC. \nThis event brings together leading experts\, policymakers\, and stakeholders in public health\, biomedical innovation\, and global health security to examine how strategic “make\, buy\, and invest” approaches can bolster the stability and responsiveness of the U.S. pharmaceutical supply chain. \n\nMake: Shift pharmaceutical production to domestic manufacturers to reduce dependence on foreign supply.\nBuy: Prioritize partnerships with international manufacturers that adhere to high-quality standards.\nInvest: Realign pharmaceutical sourcing from high-risk regions to more reliable countries and regions with strong governance and existing partnerships.\n\nThe workshop will focus on: \n\nIdentifying key drugs and markets that stand to benefit most from these strategies;\nAssessing opportunities and barriers to implementation;\nOutlining essential next steps\, core needs\, and associated costs for operationalizing these strategies.\n\nThis discussion is particularly timely\, as global events—from pandemics and geopolitical conflicts to natural disasters—continue to expose vulnerabilities in the pharmaceutical supply chain. The workshop will highlight how these make-buy-invest strategies can reduce drug shortages and enhance resilience against future disruptions. \nA summary report\, Proceedings of a Workshop–in Brief\, will be developed following the event to capture key themes and insights shared during the sessions. \nThis workshop is designed for public health professionals\, policymakers\, supply chain experts\, pharmaceutical manufacturers\, and others working at the intersection of health security and critical infrastructure. \nThis workshop is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense and Johns Hopkins University. Their support reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the resilience of the U.S. pharmaceutical supply chain—an issue critical to national security\, public health preparedness\, and global health stability. \nTo learn more about the workshop and receive the latest updates\, including registration details\, please visit the event page on the National Academies website.
URL:https://globalbiodefense.com/event/improving-resiliency-in-the-u-s-pharmaceutical-supply-chain-through-make-buy-invest-strategic-actions-a-workshop/
LOCATION:Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center\, 555 Pennsylvania Avenue NW\, Washington DC\, DC\, 20001\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251028
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251029
DTSTAMP:20250602T190930Z
CREATED:20250602T190436Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250602T190930Z
UID:62497-1761609600-1761695999@globalbiodefense.com
SUMMARY:Exploring Applications of AI in Genomics and Precision Health: A Workshop
DESCRIPTION:Hosted by the National Academies of Sciences\, Engineering\, and Medicine (NASEM)\, this upcoming hybrid workshop will bring together experts to explore the expanding role of artificial intelligence (AI) in genomics and precision health. Organized by NASEM’s Roundtable on Genomics and Precision Health\, this public event is designed for a broad audience of public health professionals\, clinical researchers\, data scientists\, and global health security stakeholders interested in the transformative potential of AI across the health continuum—from translational research to clinical care. \nWorkshop Objectives\nThe workshop will feature presentations and panel discussions aimed at: \n\nReviewing current AI applications in genomics and precision health\, such as variant interpretation\, data integration\, patient identification\, return of results\, and treatment selection.\nExploring near-term innovations in AI\, including its role in multi-modal diagnostics and translational genomics\, with attention to challenges like data harmonization\, workforce capacity\, security\, and equitable utility.\nEvaluating the accuracy and bias of AI technologies and their implications for genomics-related research and patient care.\nTranslating lessons learned from AI use in other disciplines into strategies for effective adoption in genomics and precision health.\n\nThis event will convene leading voices in the field through invited talks and moderated discussions. A proceedings-in-brief will be published after the event to summarize the insights and perspectives shared. \nAbout the Host and Project Series\nThe workshop is part of NASEM’s Roundtable on Genomics and Precision Health\, which serves as a collaborative platform to accelerate equitable integration of genomics innovations into clinical and public health practice. This roundtable operates under the Health and Medicine Division and fosters cross-sector dialogue to support widespread access to precision health technologies. \nRegistration and More Information\nSpace for in-person attendance is limited\, and registration is required. For updates on the agenda\, speaker list\, and how to participate\, please visit the National Academies event page.
URL:https://globalbiodefense.com/event/exploring-applications-of-ai-in-genomics-and-precision-health-a-workshop/
LOCATION:National Academies of Sciences\, 2101 Constitution Ave NW\, Washington\, DC\, 20418\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260630
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260701
DTSTAMP:20260630T141513Z
CREATED:20260625T135828Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260630T141513Z
UID:64881-1782777600-1782863999@globalbiodefense.com
SUMMARY:Introduction to the Guidelines for African Swine Fever (ASF) Vaccines
DESCRIPTION:As African swine fever continues to spread across borders\, threaten pig production systems\, and disrupt safe trade\, the availability of reliable\, evidence-based tools for vaccine deployment has become increasingly urgent. To support the practical application of newly published international guidance\, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) will host a virtual webinar on June 30\, 2026\, titled Introduction to the Guidelines for African Swine Fever (ASF) Vaccines: Field Evaluation and Post-Vaccination Monitoring. \nThe session will bring together the consultant experts who developed the guidelines — representing The Pirbright Institute and the Centre for Applied One Health Research and Policy Advice at City University of Hong Kong — to present the document and discuss with selected WOAH Members how it can be implemented in practice. \nAbout the Guidelines\nWOAH recently published the Guidelines for African Swine Fever Vaccines: Field Evaluation and Post-Vaccination Monitoring\, developed to help Members generate and assess the evidence needed for sound vaccination decisions. The guidelines address the full cycle of vaccine use in the field\, from study design and implementation to post-vaccination monitoring and benefit–risk assessment. Practical tools are included\, such as sample size calculators and recording form templates\, to help users apply the guidance directly in operational settings. \nThe guidelines emphasize that ASF vaccination is not a standalone solution. Vaccine deployment must be integrated into broader prevention and control strategies — including biosecurity\, surveillance\, and movement controls — and adapted to local epidemiological conditions. WOAH stresses that only high-quality vaccines manufactured in accordance with international standards should be used\, and that regulatory approval status varies by country. \nKey Technical Areas\nThe document covers several interconnected areas critical to responsible vaccine use: \nField trial design and evaluation — The guidelines walk users through case definitions\, study design selection\, randomisation\, data collection\, and validated laboratory testing\, with worked examples where available\, to ensure that field evaluations yield reliable\, decision-grade evidence. \nPost-vaccination monitoring — A dedicated three-step framework supports countries in establishing and sustaining monitoring systems\, including defining expected side effects\, setting up reporting channels\, and periodically evaluating and revising the programme. Pharmacovigilance to detect adverse events is addressed throughout. \nGenomic surveillance — Whole genome sequencing\, where feasible\, is recommended to detect potential reversion to virulence or recombination events over time. \nData sharing and transparency — The guidelines underscore that ASF is a transboundary disease\, and that evidence generated through field trials should be shared across countries\, consistent with the principles of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code. WOAH has committed to facilitating connections between Members and relevant Reference Laboratories and Collaborating Centres. \nRelevance to Animal and Public Health Security Professionals\nASF has significant implications beyond animal health\, affecting food security\, rural livelihoods\, national economies\, and international trade. For professionals working at the intersection of veterinary public health\, biosecurity\, and One Health — including Veterinary Services\, competent authorities\, regulatory bodies\, and policy advisors — this webinar offers direct access to the technical experts behind a major new international reference document. The discussion of field evaluation methodology\, pharmacovigilance frameworks\, and the integration of vaccination into broader control strategies is relevant to any professional engaged in transboundary animal disease preparedness and response. \nThe guidelines document is available at the WOAH website: Guidelines for African Swine Fever Vaccines: Field Evaluation and Post-Vaccination Monitoring. \nFor more information and to register\, please visit 260630 Introduction to the Guidelines for African swine fever (ASF) vaccines.
URL:https://globalbiodefense.com/event/introduction-to-the-guidelines-for-african-swine-fever-asf-vaccines/
LOCATION:
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260803
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260807
DTSTAMP:20260819T180141Z
CREATED:20260719T175458Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260819T180141Z
UID:65071-1785715200-1786060799@globalbiodefense.com
SUMMARY:2026 Military Health System Research Symposium
DESCRIPTION:Advancing combat casualty care\, operational medicine\, and warfighter readiness demands a dedicated forum where the full breadth of military medical research converges — and for the Department of Defense\, that forum is the Military Health System Research Symposium. Registration for the 2026 edition opens June 29\, 2026\, at noon Eastern\, ahead of the symposium’s four-day run from August 3–6 at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Kissimmee\, Florida. \nThis year’s event\, themed “Harnessing the Power of Military Medical Research\,” is organized by the DoD and is expected to draw more than 3\,700 leaders\, clinicians\, scientists\, and innovators from across the military\, academia\, industry\, and international partner organizations. The theme reflects the department’s focus on accelerating research solutions that improve readiness\, performance\, survivability\, and return-to-duty outcomes for deployed service members. \nKeith Bass\, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs and the Department of Defense’s top medical leader\, underscored the event’s significance: “MHSRS is where the military medical research community comes together to solve the hardest problems facing our deployed warfighters. The discoveries shared here directly strengthen readiness\, enhance performance\, and save lives both on and off the battlefield.” \nThe 2026 program is organized around four core research domains: warfighter medical readiness\, which addresses ensuring service members are medically prepared for deployment; expeditionary medicine\, focused on delivering advanced care in austere and contested environments; warfighter performance\, covering the optimization of physical\, cognitive\, and psychological resilience; and return to duty\, centered on accelerating recovery and reintegration following injury or illness. Presentations\, breakout sessions\, and poster sessions will span all four areas. \nMHSRS serves as the central forum for presenting research in areas including combat casualty care\, operational medicine\, infectious diseases\, rehabilitation\, and human performance. The intersection of infectious disease surveillance\, medical countermeasures\, and operational readiness makes the symposium a valuable venue for biosecurity and global health practitioners working at the civil-military interface\, or those engaged in research that supports both military and civilian health emergency preparedness. \nParticipants must register for the symposium and pay the registration fee before receiving access to room booking at the host hotel\, the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center\, or the alternate partner hotel\, the Marriott Village. \nFor more information and to register\, please visit the 2026 Military Health System Research Symposium website.
URL:https://globalbiodefense.com/event/2026-military-health-system-research-symposium/
LOCATION:Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center\, 6000 W Osceola Pkwy\, Kissimmee\, FL\, 34746\, United States
CATEGORIES:Government Hosted
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260827
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260829
DTSTAMP:20260819T181214Z
CREATED:20260819T181025Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260819T181214Z
UID:64849-1787788800-1787961599@globalbiodefense.com
SUMMARY:Biosecurity Simulation Exercise (BSX 2026)
DESCRIPTION:Preparing professionals to detect\, assess\, and manage deliberate biothreat events and laboratory biosafety incidents requires more than theoretical knowledge — it demands practiced decision-making under pressure\, across disciplines and sectors. A two-day tabletop simulation exercise designed to build precisely that capacity is scheduled for August 2026 in Singapore. \nThe Biosecurity Simulation Exercise (BSX 2026)\, organized by the Asia Centre for Health Security\, will take place on 27–28 August 2026 at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel\, Singapore. The exercise employs lectures\, guided discussions\, and structured\, scenario-driven simulations to immerse participants in realistic\, high-consequence biological incidents that unfold under conditions of incomplete information. \nThe exercise is designed around three core objectives: strengthening surveillance\, preparedness\, and response capabilities for laboratory biosafety and biosecurity (LBB) incidents and deliberate biothreat events (DBE); enhancing inter-sectoral and inter-disciplinary coordination and decision-making through team-based problem-solving; and reviewing the legal\, policy\, and security dimensions relevant to public health responses to such incidents. Working in collaborative teams\, participants will address challenges spanning surveillance\, diagnostics\, public health response\, security assessment\, and risk communication. \nThe event is intended for professionals whose work intersects with laboratory biosafety and biosecurity or with bioterrorism preparedness and response. Target attendees include practitioners from public health\, clinical medicine\, laboratory sciences\, policy\, defence\, and law enforcement. Proficiency in written and spoken English is required for full participation. \nFor public health security and biosecurity professionals\, BSX 2026 offers a structured opportunity to stress-test response frameworks and inter-agency coordination in a consequence-free environment. The exercise’s explicitly inter-sectoral design — bridging public health\, security\, and policy communities — reflects the operational realities of managing high-consequence biological events\, where effective response depends on coordination across institutions and disciplines that do not routinely work together. \nThe full programme has not yet been released. Interested participants are encouraged to monitor the event page for updates on sessions\, speakers\, and registration details. \nFor more information and to register\, please visit Biosecurity Simulation Exercise (BSX 2026).
URL:https://globalbiodefense.com/event/biosecurity-simulation-exercise-bsx-2026/
LOCATION:Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel\, 392 Havelock Rd\, Singapore\, 169663\, Singapore
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260903T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260903T110000
DTSTAMP:20260819T175426Z
CREATED:20260819T175331Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260819T175426Z
UID:65395-1788433200-1788433200@globalbiodefense.com
SUMMARY:Opportunities for Strengthening and Updating Crisis Standards of Care
DESCRIPTION:When hospitals faced the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic\, many quietly adapted how they delivered care without ever formally declaring a crisis. Protocols designed to guide difficult decisions during mass casualty events were bypassed\, misunderstood\, or simply left to individual clinicians at the bedside. A new expert consultation examines what went wrong and what needs to change before the next large-scale emergency. \nThe National Academies of Sciences\, Engineering\, and Medicine will host a virtual public briefing on Thursday\, September 3\, 2026\, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM Eastern Time. The session will present and discuss findings from a recently released rapid expert consultation\, Updating Crisis Standards of Care: Examining Gaps and Opportunities\, produced in response to a request from the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR). \nCrisis standards of care refer to a systematic approach for adapting health care delivery when patient demand exceeds available resources. These frameworks\, first developed by the National Academies in 2009 and expanded in 2012\, were put to the test at scale for the first time during COVID-19. The findings of the new consultation are pointed: the ethical foundations underlying these frameworks held up\, but the operational side fell short in ways that carry direct implications for future emergency preparedness. \nAmong the consultation’s central findings is that the three steps expected to define a crisis response\, recognizing that a crisis exists\, formally activating a plan\, and implementing crisis-level strategies\, often did not occur in sequence. Hospitals adopted crisis-level approaches without issuing formal declarations. States largely left activation decisions to individual facilities. Frontline clinicians were frequently left to make high-stakes allocation decisions without institutional backing or clear legal protection. The result\, the report finds\, was lasting moral distress and burnout among health workers that outlasted the pandemic itself. \nThe consultation also identifies regional coordination as both a critical gap and a meaningful opportunity. States including Washington\, Minnesota\, and Arizona established Medical Operations Coordination Centers during the pandemic to manage patient transfers and balance load across hospitals. Evidence suggests these centers may have prevented a measurable share of excess deaths during surge periods. Yet many were shut down after the immediate crisis passed\, largely due to funding constraints and unresolved questions about long-term governance. \nThe briefing is relevant for health security professionals thinking beyond infectious disease. The consultation addresses how crisis standards of care frameworks must also account for mass casualty events such as nuclear accidents\, high-consequence infectious disease outbreaks requiring complex isolation and transport capacity\, and infrastructure failures such as cyberattacks that can cripple hospital pharmacy and diagnostic systems without any increase in patient volume. \nThe report points to several priorities for the field: clearer operational guidance\, stronger decision-support tools\, more robust regional coordination infrastructure\, and flexible frameworks for workforce mobility. These are investments the consultation argues should be made before the next emergency\, not in response to it. \nA related analysis of these findings\, covering the lessons from COVID-19 and the emerging gaps in health system preparedness\, is available in the Global Biodefense article Crisis Standards of Care: Lessons from COVID-19 and Emerging Gaps in Health System Preparedness. \nFor more information and to register\, please visit Opportunities for Strengthening and Updating Crisis Standards of Care Public Briefing. \n\nThis content was researched and sourced by Global Biodefense editors and reported with Claude AI assistance for drafting and editing.
URL:https://globalbiodefense.com/event/opportunities-for-strengthening-and-updating-crisis-standards-of-care-public-briefing/
LOCATION:
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261012
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261017
DTSTAMP:20260627T151449Z
CREATED:20260627T151320Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260627T151449Z
UID:63770-1791763200-1792195199@globalbiodefense.com
SUMMARY:Training Course on Biotechnology Innovation and Biosecurity
DESCRIPTION:As biotechnology advances at an unprecedented pace\, the dual-use dimensions of biological research have become a central concern for the international community. Ensuring that scientists\, laboratory professionals\, and policymakers are equipped to navigate the intersection of innovation\, biosafety\, and arms control is increasingly essential to global health security. \nTo address this need\, the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) and the Biological Weapons Convention Implementation Support Unit (BWC ISU) will co-organize the 2026 BWC Training Course on “Biotechnology Innovation and Biosecurity\,” taking place 12–16 October 2026 in New Delhi\, India. The intensive five-day program is funded through voluntary contributions from Norway in support of Article X of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC). \nThe training is designed to strengthen capacities in biosecurity\, biosafety\, and biological risk management in the context of rapid advances in biotechnology. It takes an integrated\, interdisciplinary approach to managing biological threats at the intersection of humans\, animals\, plants\, and the environment. The curriculum addresses the governance\, technical\, and operational dimensions of preventing\, detecting\, and responding to biological threats\, while promoting responsible and peaceful scientific research and innovation in accordance with Article X of the BWC. \nThe course is open to early- and mid-career scientists from countries included on the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) List of ODA Recipients. Eligible applicants should hold a professional background in virology\, microbiology\, or a related biological science\, with demonstrated hands-on experience in molecular biology or pathogen diagnostics. Applicants must currently work in at least a BSL-2 laboratory or equivalent facility\, and have practical experience with PCR\, diagnostic equipment\, and related materials. A working knowledge of English is required. Female applicants are encouraged to apply. \nSelected participants will receive financial support for air travel and a daily subsistence allowance in accordance with United Nations Financial Regulations and Rules. Participants are responsible for arranging their own health and travel insurance. States Parties to the BWC are requested to inform the BWC ISU of their endorsed nominees by means of a note verbale. \nFor professionals working in biosecurity\, biological arms control\, or laboratory-based public health\, this course offers a rare opportunity to engage with the policy and technical dimensions of the BWC in a structured training environment. The program’s focus on dual-use biotechnology governance\, biological threat detection\, and responsible innovation makes it directly relevant to national and institutional capacity-building efforts across the life sciences. \nThe deadline for applications is 17 May 2026. Applicants must submit an online application and provide a letter of recommendation from their employer confirming institutional support and explaining how participation will benefit both the institution and national capacities. \nFor more information and to register\, please visit the ICGEB’s Training course on Biotechnology Innovation and Biosecurity website.
URL:https://globalbiodefense.com/event/training-course-on-biotechnology-innovation-and-biosecurity-icgeb/
LOCATION:New Delhi\, India
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261103
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261106
DTSTAMP:20260819T182005Z
CREATED:20260819T181915Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260819T182005Z
UID:63528-1793664000-1793923199@globalbiodefense.com
SUMMARY:INTERPOL Global Biosecurity Conference 2026
DESCRIPTION:As biological threats grow more complex — spanning non-state actors\, emerging biotechnologies\, and increasingly porous borders — the need for coordinated international action across law enforcement\, public health\, and scientific communities has never been more pressing. A major international conference next autumn will bring these communities together to confront that challenge directly. \nINTERPOL’s Bioterrorism Prevention Unit will host the 2nd INTERPOL Global Biosecurity Conference from 3–5 November 2026 at INTERPOL Headquarters in Lyon\, France. The three-day conference will convene law enforcement and partner agencies\, biosecurity experts\, and academics from multiple regions and professional backgrounds to examine the current biological threat landscape and advance practical\, actionable responses. \nThe conference is designed to serve as an international forum for dialogue across sectors — including health\, customs\, civil protection\, the scientific community\, policy-makers\, and the private sector — with a shared focus on strengthening biosecurity at the global level. Specific objectives include exploring current and emerging biological threats relevant to law enforcement\, sharing good practices in prevention\, preparedness\, and incident response\, and defining concrete actions to address recommendations developed during the conference. The event builds on the inaugural Global Biosecurity Conference held in 2024. \nFor professionals working at the intersection of public health security\, biosecurity\, and global health governance\, this conference offers a rare opportunity to engage directly with law enforcement perspectives on biological threats — an increasingly critical dimension of biosecurity that extends well beyond traditional public health frameworks. Sessions will address topics ranging from early-warning systems and border biosecurity to forensic investigation of biological incidents and the dual-use risks posed by emerging technologies such as synthetic biology and AI-driven protein design. \nHighlighted sessions of interest include: \n\nGlobal biological threat landscape — Mapping the evolving landscape of non-state actors seeking to acquire\, produce\, or use biological agents and toxins as weapons\, including analysis of operational methods\, technical capabilities\, and access to open-source knowledge\nIndicators and early-warning for biological threats — Showcasing integrated intelligence frameworks combining health\, customs\, laboratory\, cyber\, and human intelligence to enhance detection\, including tools for real-time data aggregation and proactive biosecurity response\nHealth and law enforcement coordination when responding to a biological incident — Examining inter-agency decision-making\, joint command structures\, and coordination mechanisms during suspected biological incidents\, including gaps and solutions for a One Health approach\nForensic examination of bio-contaminated evidence — Outlining procedures for safe evidence preservation and presenting innovative forensic techniques for identification\, attribution\, and source tracing of biological agents or toxins used in deliberate incidents\nBiosecurity at borders — Examining integrated border control systems combining customs\, veterinary\, public health\, and law enforcement functions to detect illicit biological flows\, and discussing challenges in identifying dual-use commodities related to biological weapons\nScience\, technology\, and innovation: emerging challenges and dual-use risks to biosecurity — Identifying high-risk dual-use technologies including gene editing\, synthetic biology\, and AI-driven protein design\, and proposing proactive risk mitigation strategies and responsible innovation frameworks\nScience\, technology\, and innovation: opportunities for law enforcement — Demonstrating how technologies such as portable sequencing\, AI-powered diagnostics\, and rapid biosensors are transforming field detection and situational awareness\, with case studies of technology-enabled investigations\nMoving forward legal\, policy\, and information-sharing enablers for biosecurity — Examining legal and policy frameworks that facilitate cross-sector and international cooperation\, and identifying practical challenges and good practices in information-sharing\, evidence exchange\, and mutual assistance in the biosecurity context\n\nFor more information\, please visit INTERPOL’s Global partnerships against bioterrorism website.
URL:https://globalbiodefense.com/event/interpol-global-biosecurity-conference-2026/
LOCATION:INTERPOL Headquarters\, Lyon\, France
CATEGORIES:Government Hosted
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