Practice Areas

US Government Funding

Us Government Funding

Business Management

Business Management

US Government Programs

Opportunities for life science development and acquisition contracts come primarily from 2 Departments in the Federal Government:

1. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

  • National Institutes of Health (NIH)
    • The NIH offers various funding opportunities aimed at advancing research and development.
    • Programs like the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) are notable for funding innovative life sciences projects.
    • NIH also provides contracts for specific research needs, such as vaccine development, therapeutics, diagnostics, and clinical trial networks.
  • Biomedical Advanced Research & Development Authority (BARDA)
    • BARDA focuses on developing and procuring medical countermeasures to address public health emergencies, such as pandemics or bioterrorism threats.
    • It funds advanced development of vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, and other technologies to combat chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats as well as emerging infectious diseases.
    • BARDA frequently works in partnership with private-sector companies to accelerate product development and scale manufacturing.
  • Center for Disease Control (CDC)
    • Less development activity with its charter likely to change over the next few years.
  • Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
    • Programs related to regulatory science and intermittent biomolecule acquisition.

2. Department of Defense (DOD)

The DOD plays a significant role in life sciences development and acquisition contracts, particularly in areas relevant to national security and defense.

  • Chem/Bio/Rad/Nuc Defense (CBRND)
    Joint Program Executive Office - Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Defense (JPEO-CBRND)
    • Focuses on developing and acquiring CBRN defense capabilities to protect U.S. forces.
    • Offers funding for technologies like protective gear, medical countermeasures (vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics), and early detection systems.
    • Collaborates with industry through contracts and partnerships to innovate solutions for CBRN threats
  • Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA)
    • Mission is to counteract CBRN and WMD (Weapons of Mass Destruction) threats globally.
    • Provides funding for basic research, applied science, and advanced technology development in biodefense, including vaccines, therapeutics, and pathogen detection.
    • Regularly issues Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs) and other funding opportunities for R&D.
  • Medical Research and Materiel Command (MRMC)
    Part of the U.S. Army, this command oversees the development and acquisition of military medical solutions.
    Focus areas include:
    • Combat casualty care.
    • Infectious diseases.
    • Military operational medicine.
    • Clinical and rehabilitative medicine.
    • Offers funding through competitive grants and contracts, including collaborations with academic institutions and biotech firms.
  • Naval Medical Research & Development
    • Focuses on the health and readiness of Navy and Marine Corps personnel.
    • Priorities include infectious disease prevention and treatment, environmental health risks, and operational medicine.
    • Provides funding opportunities for R&D in diagnostics, vaccines, and treatment protocols.
  • Defense Advanced Resarch Projects Agency
    Known for its high-risk, high-reward research projects, DARPA funds cutting-edge technologies in life sciences, including:
    • Synthetic biology.
    • Advanced drug delivery systems.
    • Rapid vaccine and therapeutic development platforms.
    • Biodefense technologies.
    • Regularly announces funding opportunities via BAAs and works with a wide range of organizations, from startups to established defense contractors.

While there is funding available from other agencies (Department of Energy, USAID, etc.) together these listed HHS and DOD agencies issued over $10Bn in life science related contracts in 2023 (Source: USASpending.gov).

Business Management

With a proven track record in building and managing successful life science companies, FSA provides highly qualified expertise to guide your organization through its most critical and challenging phases. Drawing on our deep understanding of life science business cycles, we provide a structured framework of best practices and operational procedures designed to help you manage and grow your business to its fullest potential.



Areas of Expertise and Recommendations

At FSA, we offer recommendations for highly qualified service providers who specialize in various critical areas. These individuals and groups are integral to our programs, and we maintain no financial interests when our clients choose to engage their services. Our focus is solely on connecting you with the expertise needed to achieve your goals.

USG Legal

  • We strongly advise that no proposal whether prepared by FSA or anyone else be submitted without legal review from a firm experienced in USG contracts.

Clinical Operations

  • Clinical management and CRO oversight.

Regulatory Affairs

  • Frequently combined with ClinOps.
  • Includes Regulatory - Legal.

CMC

  • While FSA has significant expertise in the area, we also work with individuals and firms that have deep experience in biomanufacturing, facility design, construction, and qualification, and the associated support services.
  • Includes analytical and formulation development.
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