U.S. Department of Homeland Security Keynote to Open 16th Biodetection Technologies Conference Next Month in Arlington, VA
Technological Responses to Biological Threats
BOSTON, MA – May 12, 2010 – The Knowledge Foundation has announced that the opening keynote address for the 16th Biodetection Technologies conference will be made by Dr. Michael V. Walter, BioWatch Program Manager at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Dr. Walter will discuss lessons learned from technological problems, the current status of BioWatch Gen-3 sensor-type technologies, and plans for Gen-4 advanced systems. Biodetection Technologies will be held from June 17-18, 2010 at the Sheraton National Hotel in Arlington, VA.
Biodetection Technologies is an internationally recognized event for experts in detection and identification of biological and chemical threats and will explore the latest R&D developments as well as ready-to-market systems for major biothreat detection, identification, and analysis both in the field and at the point-of-care. More than 140 organizations from around the world convened in Baltimore for last year’s conference. Program topics include:
- Point-of-care applications for pathogen, virus & threat detection & identification
- Technological challenges for rapid, early, specific & sensitive detection
- Role of nanotechnology and system miniaturization – MEMS & bioMEMS
- Use of biochip technology – micro- & nanofluidics
- Bioinformatics for biodefense
- Field-deployable devices: portability/compatibility/reliability/scalability
- Reagentless vs. reagent biodetection systems
- Non-PCR vs. PCR based detection techniques
Distinguished Faculty
- Elodie Brient-Litzler, PhD, Bertin Technologies
- Caifu Chen, PhD, Life Technologies Corporation
- Douglas B. Chrisey, PhD, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
- Claudia Gärtner, PhD, microfluidic ChipShop GmbH
- Vincent Gau, PhD, Genefluidics
- Haiqing Gong, PhD, Nanyang Technological University
- Marcy Beth Grace, PhD, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
- Kathryn M. Hansen, California Department of Public Health
- Winston Ho, PhD, Applied Biocode
- Michele D. Kattke and Larry D. Stephenson, PhD, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- Ken Klein, Smiths Detection, Inc.
- Marie Lesaicherre, PhD, Morpho Detection Inc., SAFRAN
- Leanna M. Levine, PhD, President and CEO, ALine, Inc.
- Feng Long, Tsinghua University
- Rosemonde Mandeville, PhD, Biophage Pharma Inc.
- Mansoor Nasir, PhD, Naval Research Laboratory
- Rosemary Tan, PhD, Genecet Biotechnologies Pte Ltd. & Veredus Laboratories Pte Ltd.
- Willy A. Valdivia-Granda, PhD, Orion Integrated Biosciences Inc.
- Michael V. Walter, PhD, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- Julie Zhu, PhD, GE Global Research, General Electric Company
About The Knowledge Foundation
The Knowledge Foundation integrates scientific ingenuity and real-world applications by fostering collaborative research at the rapidly changing intersection of science and business. Known for providing members of its Technology Commercialization Alliance with direct and unbiased state-of-the-art scientific information, the Knowledge Foundation is uniquely qualified to provide wider exposure for important developments in the emerging fields of alternative energy, nanotechnology, and chemical/biological detection technologies.
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Phone: (617) 232-7400
Fax: (617) 232-9171
Email: dmello@knowledgefoundation.com
Website: www.knowledgefoundation.com
$1 Billion Funding Toward Development of Vaccine for the Novel Influenza A (H1N1)
The U.S. government is setting aside $1 billion to launch development of an H1N1 swine flu vaccine to immunize 20 million people in key positions in health care, national security and emergency services.
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced yesterday that the department will take important steps necessary to prepare for potential commercial-scale production of a candidate vaccine for the novel Influenza A (H1N1). The HHS announces funding of about $1 billion for clinical studies that will take place over the next few months and for commercial-scale production of two potential vaccine ingredients for the pre-pandemic influenza stockpile.
| Global Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Market Forecast 2010-2015 provides a country-by-country forecast of national markets for vaccine, antivirals and adjuvants. |
"Preparation and planning are critical to keep Americans safe in the face of a potential pandemic," Secretary Sebelius said. "Our goal throughout this new H1N1 outbreak has been to stay one step ahead of the virus. An important part of this effort has been our work to develop a potential vaccine because vaccines can help prevent and control influenza virus outbreaks. The actions we are taking today will help us be prepared if a vaccine is needed."
The following companies will receive funding to produce H1N1 vaccine ingredients:
- Novartis AG – $289 million,
- Sanofi Aventis SA – $191 million,
- GlaxoSmithKline PLC – $181 million,
- Another $150 million will be directed to produce pilot lots of vaccine and to fund the clinical studies.
HHS is also in negotiations with other manufacturers to find more capacity.
With these orders, the pharmaceutical manufacturers will produce a bulk supply of vaccine antigen and adjuvant. Antigen is the active ingredient in a vaccine that causes the human body's immune system to develop antibodies that help fight an invading virus. Depending on the results of clinical studies, adjuvants could be added to a vaccine to improve the immune system's response and potentially reduce the amount of antigen necessary for the body to recognize and fight a virus.
Having both antigen and adjuvant on hand provides maximum flexibility in a future immunization program, if a program is recommended. For example, if needed these ingredients could be used in vaccine to help protect health providers and other members of the critical workforce, as recommended by the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza.
With these funds the pharmaceutical manufacturers will also prepare pilot lots of potential vaccine for use in clinical studies to determine the proper dose for a vaccine, determine if adjuvants are appropriate and ensure a vaccine is safe and effective. The U.S. government will share as much information as possible from the results of these clinical studies with the World Health Organization and the global community so that other countries can benefit from the U.S. efforts to determine dosage, safety and effectiveness.