Mitigate (Applied Research)

- 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…

FY2027 planned work - 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.

FY2026 to FY2027 change Funding transferred to Nerve Agent Prophylaxis thrust area starting in FY 2027.

FY2026 plans — current year - Continue and initiate, as needed, preclinical and formulation studies for improved reactivators. - Continue efforts that use modeling tools to develop therapeutics that are effective both in the brain and against a broader range of nerve agents.

FY2025 accomplishments - Continued efforts that use modeling tools to develop therapeutics that are effective both in the brain and against a broader range of nerve agents. - Continued preclinical and formulation studies for one improved lead drug candidate.

FY2027 planned work - 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 optimization of new decontaminants and decontamination processes, including biological disclosure to reduce the burden of decontamination and support sensitive equipment return to normal operations. - Complete development of semi-autonomous vehicle decontamination robotic prototype to reduce troop labor and risk during operational decontamination operations.

FY2026 to FY2027 change Increase between FY 2026 and FY 2027 due to minor change in project parameters.

FY2026 plans — current year - Integrate and test autonomous equipment decontamination subsystems to reduce troop labor, risk, and logistics requirements for operational decontamination. - Test technologies and methods for chemical and biological tactical and thorough decontamination of aircraft (e.g., helicopter) interiors and exteriors. - Develop methods to independently confirm blister agent disclosure technology performance in laboratory environments.

FY2025 accomplishments - Assessed autonomous equipment decontamination subsystems to reduce troop-to-task and logistics requirements for operational decontamination. - Evaluated technologies and methods for chemical and biological tactical and thorough decontamination of aircraft (e.g., helicopter) interiors and exteriors. - Investigated directed energy-driven and on-demand vaporous technologies to improve sensitive equipment and facility decontamination processes, logistics, and materials compatibility.

FY2027 planned work - 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 performance, and cost metrics.

FY2026 to FY2027 change Increase due to increased performance testing of novel materials that advance from fundamental research to applied research.

FY2026 plans — current year - Validate analyses that show environmentally relevant, real-time decontamination on surfaces. - Use machine learning techniques to design and synthesize novel materials that rapidly destroy chemical and biological threats. - Characterize materials for decontamination using operationally relevant test methods.

FY2025 accomplishments - Continued to improve scaled materials manufacturing processes for cost and process efficiency and characterize materials using operationally relevant test methods. - Assessed two-dimensional materials for integration into hazard mitigation technologies. - Developed analyses that show environmentally relevant, real-time decontamination on surfaces. - Designed more effective materials using machine learning techniques to discover materials that rapidly destroy threats.

FY2027 planned work - 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”).

FY2026 to FY2027 change Program/project funding transferred to another funding line. Funding transferred to Protect/PT2 Nerve Agent Prophylaxis thrust area to accelerate efforts.

FY2026 plans — current year - Employ AI/ML-based tools for drug design and predictive drug safety to support the therapeutic candidate pipeline. - Maintain, improve and expand screening and safety databases for drug candidates. - Continue to develop well characterized or FDA qualified appropriate models to support drug development under the FDA methodology and rules.

FY2025 accomplishments - Continued efforts on projects that include using AI/ML to better design drugs and predict drug safety; maintain screening and safety databases for drug candidates; investigate new production technologies (e.g. “on demand” or “continuous flow” manufacturing); alternate indications for existing medications; and further characterize safety/efficacy models with the goal of applying for status as fully qualified with the FDA. - Continued to modernize development of MCMs to provide protection for the warfighter against known and emerging chemical warfare agents (CWAs). Having multiple well-characterized safety/efficacy models (per the FDA standard) is vital where licensure can only be…

FY2027 planned work - 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 decontamination. - Complete report on weathering and durability of novel clear overcoats on equipment surface coatings to increase surface repellency of chemical threats and reduce the burden of decontamination.

FY2026 to FY2027 change Decrease due to completion of testing of weathered samples of chemically-resistant coatings in FY 2026.

FY2026 plans — current year - Complete military specification for clear overcoats on existing equipment coatings that improves chemical threat resistance and reduces burden of decontamination. - Verify and validate test methods for temporary overcoat evaluation for elastomers. - Evaluate new types of coatings as potential temporary or permanent military equipment coatings to decrease logistical burden of decontamination. - Characterize new materials to replace per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)-based finishes and surface coatings to repel threats from current military equipment coatings.

FY2025 accomplishments - Evaluated new types of coatings as potential temporary or permanent military equipment coatings to decrease logistical burden of decontamination. - Increased chemical agent resistance of current military coatings through development and testing of novel temporary coatings to reduce the spread of contamination and enable easier decontamination of all military asset surfaces. - Developed and optimized test methods for temporary overcoat evaluation for elastomers.

FY2025 accomplishments - 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.

FY2025 accomplishments - 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.

FY2026 to FY2027 change Decrease due to completion of project.

FY2026 plans — current year - Complete laboratory performance assessment of novel powder and form factor technologies for physical removal of chemical agents from unbroken skin.

FY2025 accomplishments - 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.

FY2026 to FY2027 change Program/project is entering completion and all activities will be closed.

FY2026 plans — current year - Establish a universal data format to allow for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) acceptance of alternative evaluation platforms data. - Complete validation protocols for Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) to allow for FDA acceptance.

FY2025 accomplishments - 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 off-target binding.