Chemical and Biological Defense Program

- Complete enhancements of predictive algorithms and analytical tools utilizing AI and machine learning (ML) approaches to further decrease response time to emerging threats and provide earlier warning of exposures to genetically engineered pathogens. - Expand the development of sensor digital twins to additional sensor modalities to…

- Continue to develop decision aids to inform the Total Force on all aspects of chemical and biological (CB) defense to include Resource Allocation, Decontamination, Casualty Care, Restoration Operations, and Asset Management. - Further enhance all decision aids to connect, share, and learn from other decision aids to increase automation…

- Begin integration of digital twins, robotics, and human-machine interfaces for remote collaboration between geographically separated operators and remote monitoring, control, and maintenance of sensing assets. - Enhance Virtual Reality (VR)-based synthetic environments by incorporating sensor digital twin capabilities that fully mimic…

- Continue developing integrated capabilities that address portable ultra-low detection of emerging and novel chemical threats to the advanced development Program of Record (POR) for Next Generation Diagnostics System Increment 2 Chemical Diagnostics (NGDS 2 CHEMDX) device and complete development of tests for Toxic Industrial Chemicals…

- Transition assay packages directly to advanced development. - Continue enzymes and assay integration to create modernized on-demand molecular assays (for tests) that are less reliant on supply chain disruptions and enable rapid, field-forward utilization. - Continue development of diagnostics prototypes using quantum materials and…

- Continue to identify novel, field-forward deployable platforms capable of identifying broad classes of biological agents in complex samples (i.e., blood, saliva, ocular fluids), resulting in a broad spectrum capability in the hands of the warfighter.

- Continued collection & analysis of minimally invasive methodologies for rapid threat diagnostics to enable future identification of markers from threat-specific signatures.

- Continued development of a comprehensive diagnostics platform that can be administered before or during medical transport that integrates human biomarkers, physiological data, and machine learning to predict disease severity before life-threatening symptoms develop. - Continued the development of agnostic biomimetic sensing techniques…

- Maintain and expand employment core characterization capabilities at varying scales including laboratory chamber, and field trials to understand feasibility for adversarial use. - Finalize hazard assessments of nanoencapsulation techniques and their impact on chemical and biological (CB) threat agent capabilities. Continue additional…

- Maintain and expand core environmental characterization capabilities covering the full spectrum of CB threats. - Continue assessing stability, persistence, and fate of additional CB threats in their environment on their own and when coupled to advanced materials. - Continue additional environmental characterization of CB threats…

- Maintain and expand robust defensive capabilities and innovative empirical tools to enable faster characterization of current, emerging, and novel biological threats. - Finalize hazard assessment on enabling technologies including gene editing and synthetic biology tools. - Continue assessment of advanced methods for threat agent…

- Maintain and expand core host response characterization capabilities, predictive/in silico tools, and technologies for CB agent characterization, both computer-based as well as in living tissues – emphasizing the use of organ-on-a-chip technologies when possible. - Continue empirical studies addressing host response gaps for…

- Continue development of a low burden field detection kit for biological toxins for use by the tactical level soldier. - Complete testing of an sensor for biological airborne particles that determines threat identity and concentration to aid decision making for donning and doffing individual protection. - Continue to develop low-burden…

- Complete development of a biological threat identification system that rapidly identifies threats in 15 minutes. - Continue development of autonomous sampling systems for field forward biological threat identification. - Continue development of novel detection algorithms through streamlined laboratory workflows (e.g., data generation…

- Test and integrate advanced materials with multiple physical and chemical properties into biological sensors to expand performance and inform sensor design and function. - Evaluate quantum properties to enable ultrafast, highly-sensitive detection and identification of biological threats with high-fidelity data collection and…

- Continue to develop microsensors for long-range chemical detection that maximize early warning for rapid decision making. - Continue to develop chemical sensing technologies for equipment decontamination assurance for rapid reduction of protective posture. - Continue to develop and integrate novel color-changing sensors for visual…

- Begin development of sensors for low level detection and identification of contamination on surfaces, vehicles, and equipment for decontamination verification. - Continue development of environmental sampling capabilities for the warfighter to rapidly and effectively collect chemical solid, liquid, and vapor samples for further…

- Continue development of novel chemical threat sensors that exploit quantum properties. - Characterize advanced materials with multiple physical and chemical properties to optimize sensor performance and inform sensor design and function. - Continue to reduce sensor size, weight and power requirements by incorporating…

- Explore the automation of the current horizon scanning capabilities to identify technological advancements and their potential effects on CB defense. - Continue to evaluate and adopt state-of-the-art technologies and art-of-the-possible techniques that accelerate current characterization capabilities for emerging threats and to limit…

- Continue assessing and adopting robust methods agnostic protocols and tools to characterize emerging pathogens by incorporating synthetic biology advancements. - Continue the development of robust characterization processes and core characterization capabilities to rapidly and safely address emerging pathogens. - Continue identifying…

- Initiate the design and implementation of a System Integration framework to enhance characterization activities and stakeholder communication/engagements. - Test initial data architecture prototypes with centralized threat agent science products, consolidated legacy data, and standard/harmonized data packages. - Develop and augment…

- Continue to evaluate and develop new tools/assays that can predict vaccine effectiveness against infection and disease. - Continue to evaluate and develop strategies for safer vaccines and to optimize the effectiveness of a vaccine, to include antigen and formulation optimization, alternative delivery mechanisms and cell targeting…

- Continue development of machine learning tool for vaccine selection by adding additional platform data and functionality. Transition to Project PT3/Protect Biological Warfare Defense Prophylaxis thrust area for further development. - Continue to test threat agnostic prophylactic products as stand-alone Medical Countermeasures (MCM) and…

- Assess and publish report on novel filter materials performance against conventional and advanced agents delivered in all states of matter (vapor, aerosol, and liquid) in operationally relevant environments. - Publish report in Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) for current filtration systems performance against advanced…

- Continue to test and evaluate multiple designs for innovative, low burden respirator prototypes for full spectrum protection, physiological burden, and cost. - Validate operationally-relevant protocols for general purpose next generation respiratory protection prototype testing to determine performance on the battlefield. - Validate…

- Research novel, reactive/catalytic materials, and engineer materials through defined, feasible processes. - Computationally model and design novel material candidates for synthesis and characterize for threat neutralization. - Screen new candidates that optimize feasibility, protection performance, and cost metrics. - Internally…

- Develop, verify, and validate operationally-relevant test method to evaluate the ability of protective garment swatches to detoxify chemical agents on contact. - Incorporate elasticity into laminated, self-detoxifying fabrics. - Incorporate materials that do not contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) into coatings and…

- Continued to develop well characterized safety/efficacy models with the goal of applying for status as Food and Drug Administration (FDA) qualified safety/efficacy models. This is key to support the development of cMCMs that provide protection for the warfighter against chemical warfare agents (CWAs).

- Continue the identification and development of lead medicine candidates. - Additional drug candidates that utilize several different technical approaches will be pursued.

- Discover and assess novel, broad-spectrum technologies to combat both known and unknown viral threats. - Conduct preliminary proof-of-concept effectiveness studies using proven pharmaceutical technologies that target multiple viral pathogens and/or clinical manifestations. - Explore and identify drug delivery systems that target…

- Continue to modernize development of MCMs to provide protection for the warfighter against known and emerging chemical warfare agents (CWAs). - Continue efforts on projects that include AI/ML to better design drugs and predict drug safety and investigate new technologies (e.g. “on demand” or “continuous flow manufacturing”).

- Continue preclinical and formulation studies for one improved lead candidate reactivator. - Continue efforts that use modeling tools to develop therapeutics that are effective both in the brain and against a broader range of nerve agents.

- Continued to find medicine candidates that treat key symptoms regardless of the specific agent that is causing them. This moves us away from “one risk, one remedy” solutions.

- Continued to develop safety/efficacy models for dermal and wound application, determine dosing strategies, format for use in the battlefield, and establish the regulatory strategy for candidate products in traumatic wounds.

- Integrate new materials to replace per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)-based finishes into surface coatings to repel threats from current military equipment coatings. - Complete report on performance of novel clear overcoats on equipment surface coatings to increase surface repellency of chemical threats and reduce the burden of…

- Complete development of a device for generating high-concentration hydrogen peroxide at the point of use for decontamination of sensitive equipment. - Complete development of biological disinfection technologies, test methods, guidelines, and procedures, for facilities and large-platform interiors. - Complete development, testing, and…

- Research novel, reactive/catalytic materials, and engineer / scale materials through defined, feasible processes. - Computationally model and design novel material candidates for synthesis and characterize for threat neutralization. - Screen candidates for non-PFAS coatings and decontaminants that maximize feasibility, decontamination…

- Assessed existing and novel decontaminants and processes for individual and skin decontamination in support of the Medical Decontamination Personnel Skin (MDPS) program of record. - Developed and assess physical removal technologies for potential alternatives for reactive skin decontamination lotion.

- Continued development of machine learning capabilities for identifying broad-spectrum antiviral compounds. - Launched development of AI-guided small molecule library. - Progressed development of pathogenesis and medical countermeasure forecasting platform. - Initiated development of organoid platform to predict and evaluate antibody…

- Progress evaluation of alternative safety/efficacy models against established models for validation and down select promising candidates for further scientific and technical advancement. - Continue assessment of alternative platforms for disease characterization capabilities. - Continue medical countermeasure (prophylaxis and…

- Conducted an initial analysis of alternatives to assess policy and laboratory requirements to adhere to security standards as promulgated and/or mitigated by Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). - Doubled the enterprise’s biothreat characterization capabilities. Implemented and developed protocols to execute S&T biothreat…