BioTools Innovator VANGUARD DEV

Awards for Development, Evaluation, and Validation of Innovations in Drug Discovery and Development and Biomanufacturing to Improve Clinical Research and Care Coordination

We are currently accepting proposals for DEV funding.
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Non-Dilutive Funding to Advance Your Drug Discovery, Drug Development, or Biomanufacturing Innovations

Are you working on groundbreaking drug discovery, drug development, or biomanufacturing solutions to improve clinical research and care coordination? BTI VANGUARD invites startups and university-backed projects to submit proposals for non-dilutive funding ranging from $50K to $200K. This funding supports the development, evaluation, or validation of innovative solutions aligned with BARDA’s mission to enhance pandemic preparedness and health security.

Milestone-based Awards from $50K – $200K for 6-Month Long Projects

  • Development
  • Evaluation
  • Validation
Of Innovations in Drug Discovery and Development; Biomanufacturing to Increase Speed, Capacity, Portability, and Scalability; and Clinical Research and Clinical Care Coordination Aligned with BARDA’s Mission to Enhance Pandemic Preparedness and Health Security*.

*For more information on BARDA areas of interest, visit https://drive.hhs.gov/partner.html.
BARDA also recently released TPPs relevant to some of its areas of interest: https://medicalcountermeasures.gov/barda/tpp.

Startups and projects will receive project management support and regular mentoring from subject matter experts over the award duration (6 months).
Funds Can Be Used To
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Advance technologies currently in development to the next milestones and value inflection points

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Develop/improve access and enable faster, lower cost, rapid, and flexible production of medical countermeasures including diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics

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Improve platforms in development to improve clinical research and clinical care coordination

BARDA primarily develops medical countermeasures to counter acute threats and does not support research and development or acceleration in the areas of oncology or chronic disease. However, BARDA does partner with innovators and companies developing platform and multi-use technologies. Applicants can include data from other use cases so long as BARDA funding will be used to support research and development of the BARDA-relevant use cases.
vanguard dev timeline

BTI VANGUARD DEV Funding Information Sessions

To learn more about the DEV funding solicitation, watch our informational webinar hosted by our Team.

Monday, November 25, 2024
10:00am-11:00am PT (1:00-2:00pm ET)

Register

FAQs

Innovations in drug discovery and development; biomanufacturing to increase speed, capacity, portability, and scalability; and clinical research and clinical care coordination aligned with BARDA’s mission.

For more information on BARDA areas of interest, visit https://drive.hhs.gov/partner.html.

BARDA also recently released TPPs relevant to some of its areas of interest: https://medicalcountermeasures.gov/barda/tpp.

We are accepting proposals from early-stage biotech companies as well as academic and other innovators globally.

We are accepting proposals from early-stage biotech companies as well as academic and other innovators globally. Companies and individuals are welcome to submit an application for the Accelerator Program and a proposal for non-dilutive (DEV) funding from BTI VANGUARD. Applications and proposals will be reviewed independently. Solicitations for both the Accelerator Program and non-dilutive (DEV) funding opportunities will be open on an annual basis.

No, SAM.gov registration is not required.

  • Preliminary Proposal Deadline: November 30, 2024
  • Notification of Awards: By February 28, 2025
  • Program Start: March 2025

Proposals will be evaluated with a particular focus on 1) the ability of the technology in the proposal to support BARDA’s mission, 2) the uniqueness of the innovation and its ability to address unmet needs, and 3) the capacity for the proposed use of funds to advance the technology to the next value inflection point.

It is anticipated that project milestones will be completed in 6 months from the start of the project, and that the funding will be spent during this time period. Project management and mentor support will be provided during this 6-month period. BTI VANGUARD and BARDA also understand that unforeseen and unpredicted events happen during development, evaluation and validation activities.

There will be reporting requirements on a quarterly basis, based on milestones achievement, and a final report.

Allow expenses for the non-dilutive funds from BTI VANGUARD include: direct costs for development, evaluation, or validation activities, and labor for personnel or CROs “doing the work”.

Companies and individuals that receive funding from BTI VANGUARD will have access to BARDA subject matter experts and other related BARDA resources. Access to these BARDA resources will be managed and coordinated by the BTI VANGUARD Team.

A technology that aligns to the BTI VANGUARD Hub might also be aligned to some of the other BAN Hubs, including Therapeutics/Vaccines and Diagnostics/Medical Devices. Organizations should also look into open Areas of Interest for the BARDA DRIVe EZ-BAA funding opportunity and other BARDA funding and partnership opportunities. The decision about which Hub or program to apply to is up to the organization.