BARDA Establishes Centers for Innovation in Advanced Development and Manufacturing

The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) has awarded three contracts for the creation of pandemic influenza vaccines and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) medical countermeasures for national emergency preparedness. Located at Texas A&M University in College Station, Emergent BioSolutions in Baltimore, and Novartis in North Carolina, the Centers for Innovation in Advanced Development and Manufacturing will provide solutions for biosecurity threats and emerging infectious diseases. The award of $285 million to Texas A&M incudes $176 million in federal grants over the next five years to support facility construction and the development of research infrastructure . The center is expected to be operational by December of 2015. Emergent BioSolutions was awarded $163 million over eight years and Novartis was awarded $60 million over four years.