Request for Information (RFI) and Industry Day Announcement: Host-Directed Therapeutics for Prophylaxis, Post-Exposure Prophylaxis and Treatment of Exposure to Viruses, Bacteria and Toxins

Background
The Department of Defense’s (DOD) Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense (JPEO-CBRND) is conducting market-based research to gather information from product developers who create medical countermeasures aimed at protecting and treating warfighters potentially exposed to biological agents.

The focus is on late-stage development of host-directed therapeutics or repurposing FDA licensed therapeutics that are threat-agnostic and effective across various viral families, bacterial species, or toxin families.

Work Details
The JPEO-CBRND seeks information on capabilities and willingness of private entities (academic, non-profit, and commercial) to collaborate in the development of host-directed therapeutics.

The performance objectives include:
1) Demonstrated activity alone or in combination with direct-acting licensed therapeutics or other licensed therapeutics for repurposing to prevent or treat diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, and toxins.
2) High-priority agents include Alphaviruses, Filoviruses, Bunyaviruses, Arenaviruses, Coronaviruses, Yersinia pestis, Francisella tularensis, Burkholderia pseudomallei, Burkholderia mallei, Bacillus anthracis, Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNT), Ricin toxin, Conotoxins and Marine toxins.
3) Evidence supporting broader threat-agnostic relevance for preventing or treating diseases caused by agents beyond the DOD priority list.
4) Ideal candidates should be small molecules with enhanced stability that can be administered via ingestion, inhalation or intramuscular injection. Development and clinical testing of vaccines will not be considered.
5) Products must meet quality standards established by current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), Good Clinical Practices (GCP), FDA standards and/or International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH) and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards.

Place of Performance
The Industry Day will take place at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in Alexandria, VA.