Chemical and Biological Defense Program - Advanced Development

- Enhance a cloud-based data and artificial intelligence (AI) platform for access to harmonized physiological status monitoring data and development and validation of models to continue to enhance predictive algorithms for the rapid response to emerging threats. - Continue the integration of physiological-based modeling capabilities into…

- Continue the enhancement and deployment of new decision support plug-ins for integration with Tactical Assault Kit (TAK), including the Android, web, Windows Operating System (OS), and virtual and augmented reality versions, to further enhance the TAK infrastructure and cross-community tools and develop a rapid and iterative software…

- Continue enhancements of the Chemical and Biological (CB) DevSecOps digital environment by advancing artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) based data analytics and automation to increase the efficiency and rate at which modeling capabilities can be developed and enhanced. - Further enhance the performance of Transport…

- Enhance non-invasive physiological based early warning detection algorithms for biological agent exposures to enable the identification of exposed personnel, inform course of action prior to onset of symptoms, and mitigate impacts.

- Utilize data streams from the enhanced cloud-based data environment to enhance decision aids on End User Devices.

- Utilize the integrated cloud-based data environment of dynamic knowledge base of biothreat characteristics to develop machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) analytical tools for biological threat agent modeling.

- Complete the development of a minimally invasive diagnostic platform that can predict severity of disease which will enable logistical and resource optimization as well as a more prompt return to duty for a majority of patients. - Continue expanding development of molecular and immunological diagnostic and screening tests on a rapid…

- Continue to maintain capability to access clinical samples for a variety of biological threats of interest and expand collaboration with sites around the world where diseases of concern are circulating performing clinical evaluations of various prototype platforms to validate transition readiness. - Continue independent third-party…

- Continue characterization and development of the organ-on-a-chip (OOC) technology and develop high throughput systems for biomarker discovery. Identifying new biomarkers will lead to tests that require less reagents, and are potentially more sensitive and specific than those currently fielded. These biomarkers will aid in pathogen…

- Continue development of novel platforms for field forward biological agent identification devices into light, deployable, and easy to use technologies for rapid diagnosis and characterization of biological agent exposure. - Continue development of a portable assay capable of performing multiple detection assays against a panel of…

- Augment biological detection by fully characterizing potential biological threats in wastewater environments. - Continue development of quicker workflows to monitor and characterize novel or emerging threats. - Demonstrate and transition combined workflows and automated processes that can sample, analyze, and report.

- Demonstrate aerosol microsensor for long-range chemical detection that maximizes early warning for maximized decision making lead time for response. - Demonstrate and transition low-burden chemical agent vapor detection technology to inform donning and doffing decisions for individual protection.

- Demonstrate a portable mass spectrometer detector for field identification and confirmation of presumptive chemical threat detection. - Integrate advanced computational analysis tools for complex chemical data for enhanced detection and identification. - Demonstrate and transition deployable microsensor capabilities for long range…

- Continue to exploit quantum properties to enable ultrafast, highly-sensitive detection and identification of threats.

- Transition a biological threat sensor for airborne particles that supports rapid decision making for individual protection needs on the battlefield. - Demonstrate low burden biological toxin sensor systems to users at the tactical level and incorporate feedback for sensor optimization.

- Demonstrate and transition biological threat identification system that can identify multiple biological threats in a field forward environment in 15 minutes. - Demonstrate autonomous sampling system for biological threat identification system that standardizes sampling procedures and reduces the labor burden of identification for the…

- Continued development of low size, weight, and power enhancements for microsensors. - Continued maturation of electrochemical sensors for biological detection.

- Advance fit-for-purpose model development specifically designed for biodefense applications, rigorously tailored to its defined regulatory and research context of use. - Conduct comprehensive evaluation and qualification of human and animal microphysiological/organoid model systems through direct comparative analysis against…

Design and execute advanced technology development and experiments with USINDOPACOM and CBRND units and other applicable stakeholders to refine subsystem development, to include integrated early warning capabilities, and integrate CBRND experimentation into Combatant Command field exercises. Experimentation efforts funded by this program…

- Significantly scale the on premise and cloud compute capacity across different classification levels. - Work across interagency to create unified, AI-ready, and scalable data architecture and ecosystem. Ingest government, public, and private datasets into an High Performance Computing (HPC) environment. - Develop advanced AI tools and…

- Continue the exploration of integrated technology sets in the context of an operational baseline and doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership and education, personnel, facilities, and policy (DOTMLPF-P) considerations, to solicit Warfighter feedback on potential future capabilities, and identify opportunities to…

- Continue to conduct exploration of early S&T concepts; allowing rapid assessments of emerging ideas to determine the benefits to the Warfighter. - Continue a series of targeted questionnaires/surveys, facilitated focus groups, workshops and tabletop exercises (TTXs), in order to de-risk Chemical Biological Defense Program (CBDP)…

- Continue to engage with industry, academia, and government to assess Science & Technology (S&T) prototypes to optimize form, fit, function, and CONEMPs, to identify candidates for CBDP adoption and future experimentation, and provide technologists with critical context for capability development.

- Execute efficacy testing across diverse pathogens and chemical exposures to address respiratory distress, neurocognitive impairment, and vascular dysfunction. - Perform immune modulation effectiveness studies to reduce symptoms induced by viral pathogens. - Validation of efficacy and safety platforms for human-directed therapies to…

- Finalize development of comprehensive searchable repository for repurposed drug candidates containing supporting data for biothreat pathogen applications. - Advance broad spectrum, repurposed pharmaceutical candidates with biodefense evidence toward later-stage development or clinical practice guideline establishment. - Initiate…

- Validate AI-based pathogenesis prediction capabilities. - Assess AI target identification and medical countermeasure prediction tools. - Transition forecasting platform for pathogenesis and medical countermeasure analysis to advanced development. - Transition organoid platform for predicting and evaluating antibody off-target binding…

- Performed preclinical studies to validate safety and efficacy in support of clinical trials and optimize processes for meeting the set of quality regulations established by the FDA.

- 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.

- Continue preclinical studies for one lead drug candidate to meet FDA approval requirements in preparation for IND submission to the FDA.

- Transition initial formulation for chemical decontamination of mission-critical areas to enable safe traversal of vehicles, rapid return to mission, and minimize spread of hazard.

- Conduct field demonstrations and transition technologies and methods for chemical and biological tactical and thorough decontamination of aircraft (e.g., helicopter) interiors and exteriors. - Demonstrate and transition portable aqueous hydrogen peroxide generator for on-site production of decontaminant to reduce the burden of…

- Engineer composite materials for proof-of-concept performance and transition to applied research in hazard mitigation thrusts. - Integrate materials into coatings and decontaminants with maximum agent repellency, sorption, and reactivity and investigate scaled production. - Perform iterative decontamination testing on novel reactive…

- Complete test method development for temporary overcoat evaluation to reduce chemical agent repellency and decontamination burden for current military equipment coatings.

- Continued laboratory evaluation of commercial and developmental systems for Personnel Decontamination that reduces sustainment risk of Reactive Skin Decontamination Lotion (RSDL) cold storage and shelf-life concerns for general purpose warfighter personnel decontamination. - Completed development of improved processes to test removal…

- Complete demonstration of biological disinfection guidelines, procedures, and Concepts of Operations (CONOPs) for DoW facilities and large-platform interiors, including development of directed energy disinfection methods including plasma and ultraviolet germicidal irradiation. - Conduct field demonstration to prove out operational…

- Complete development of initial prototype for semi-autonomous robotic platform and spray payload for biological decontamination of mission critical areas. - Conduct test bed demonstration of a prototype autonomous biological critical area decontamination system with decontaminant formulation for effectiveness in biological threat…

- Transition broad spectrum vaccine to advanced development for Phase 1 clinical trial. - Complete nonclinical studies for two multivalent vaccine platforms using representative pathogens. - Continue development of oral, broad spectrum mRNA vaccine. - Continue preclinical development of marine toxin antibody cocktail for transition to…

- Continue the development and optimization of lead medicine candidates at standards suitable for submission to the FDA. - Additional drug candidates that utilize different technical approaches will be pursued.

- Initiate assessments of next generation collective protection (COLPRO) Filter in shipboard and building collective protection systems. - Collect assessment data to determine operationally relevant performance improvements.

- Transition wearable respiratory protection assessment system for operationally relevant mask fit testing to the Modernization Protection Individual Protection (MODPROT IP) program. - Transition anti-fogging test standard and improved optical correction for masks to the MODPROT IP program. - Initiate user assessments for reduced burden…

- Continued long-term weathering study to evaluate polymer coating durability as potential temporary or permanent military equipment coatings to decrease logistical burden of decontamination. - Completed draft performance specification for equipment clear overcoats to increase agent repellency of current military equipment coatings.

- Demonstrate pilot-scale manufacturing processes for fabric and textile and internally transition processes to Protective Garments Thrust on an annual basis for continued applied and advanced applied research. - Engineer fabric and textile swatches for optimal sorption and reactivity and transition technical insertions and processes to…

- Develop, test, and optimize innovative manufacturing approaches to lower profile, reduce burden, and maximize domestic but decentralized production, surge capacities, and affordability. - Conduct user assessments for self-detoxifying protective garment prototypes to assess wearability, physiological burden, and integration with…

- Complete evaluation of technologies that enhance DoW facility collective protection to reduce risk of biological infection from internal or external sources. - Develop draft of technologies, guidelines, and engineering standards that extend collective protection filter life to reduce costs while maintaining or improving biological…

- Perform early user assessment of respiratory and ocular protection specifically for protection against biological agents.

- Perform early user assessment and swatch testing for percutaneous protection specifically for protection against biological agents.

Continue enhanced capability to more rapidly characterize and develop medical countermeasures against, emerging chemical and biological threats through investment in high throughput technologies. Continue development of challenges advancing concept and technology development.