9) Biological Warfare Defense Therapeutics
Abstract
This effort funds biomedical research focused on the early discovery and evaluation of therapeutic countermeasures against known and emerging biological warfare (BW) threats for which FDA-approved therapeutics are limited or lacking. BW defense therapeutics mitigate and reverse the effects of known and emerging biological warfare threats in symptomatic warfighters diagnosed with BW disease. They are the last line of defense against BW threats and are critical to returning symptomatic Warfighters to service. Biomedical research is focused on discovery and development of broad-spectrum therapeutic candidates and therapeutic platforms that target viruses, bacteria or toxins directly, enhance the host response (e.g., by modulating the immune system) and/or relieve BW disease symptoms. Broad-spectrum therapeutic candidates that are shown to be both safe and efficacious against BW threats in small animal models will advance for additional pre-clinical evaluation, and can be accelerated for use against emerging infectious diseases during an outbreak. Therapeutic target identification discovery and evaluation of novel small molecules (chemically synthesized), novel biologic molecules (isolated from natural sources), drug and drug/vaccine combinations (aka layered defense), and repurposing of drugs approved by the FDA for other indications, are included in this research. Development of appropriate animal models and assays in which to evaluate therapeutic candidates is also included. Projects leverage interagency and commercial sector investments to accelerate development and reduce costs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2023
- Source ID
- e9d87779d3a02ccc6cd762ca905e8c7f