NIBIB Announces Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx) Program

The National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) is urgently soliciting proposals and can provide up to $500M across multiple projects to rapidly produce innovative SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic tests that will assist the public’s safe return to normal activities. Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx), is a fast-track technology development program that leverages the NIH Point-of-Care Technology Research Network (POCTRN). RADx will support novel solutions that build the U.S. capacity for SARS-CoV-2 testing up to 100-fold above what is achievable with standard approaches. RADx is structured to deliver innovative testing strategies to the public as soon as late summer 2020 and is an accelerated and comprehensive multi-pronged effort by NIH to make SARS-CoV-2 testing readily available to every American.

NIBIB is providing substantial support to accelerate the development, validation, and commercialization of innovative point-of-care and home-based tests, as well as improvements to clinical laboratory tests, that can directly detect SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. NIBIB will support the full range of product development including commercialization and product distribution.

Please see the program webpage, press release, and blog post from Francis Collins for details.

Event Recap: Responding to COVID-19 A Ground-Zero Perspective from Washington’s Life Science Community

Life Science Washington and the University of Washington through the WE-REACH Biomedical Entrepreneurship Center teamed up to share stories and perspectives from scientists, researchers, and policymakers about the COVID-19 response.

If you missed the webinar held April 23 with experts in Seattle talking about where we are with COVID-19 you can watch the video here.

Recaps and follow-ups from Seattle Times, Geekwire, and MyNorthwest

Jeff Duchin, MD,Seattle and King Co Public Health, noted we should work on getting to know each other’s groups better and understand where core teams with expertise are, especially in our academic institutions, so they can help in these emergency situations.

“Open for testing!” was the message we heard from Keith Jerome, MD, PhD, director of the UW Virology Lab. The lab can handle up to 7000 tests a day now but are only receiving about 1000 per day. Why? Word needs to get out that the capacity is now online, but we also may be short on sample collection kits including swabs.

Should we be opening things up again soon? Not according to Elizabeth Holloran, MD, DSc from the Fred Hutch. If we do, we will see a rebound. First, we need to have in place the ability to test, isolate, and contact trace. Once we can do that we should be able to manage the situation such that only 7% or so of the population is in isolation at a time and the economy can get humming.

It was a great event, moderated deftly by Luke Timmerman of the Timmerman Report.

UW Entrepreneurial Law Clinic Resources for COVID-19

The University of Washington Entrepreneurial Law Clinic (a collaborator with WE-REACH) has put together a set of resources to help businesses grappling with COVID-19. In particular, they have several links for R&D funding and grants for Life Sciences businesses.

For the full list of Entrepreneurial Law Clinic resources, follow the link.