Bio Defense

Transforming the way we protect those who protect us.

North Carolina's Bio Defense outreach goes far beyond concerns over bioterrorism. NCBiotech and its partners, including North Carolina's small businesses, researchers, and military representatives, think more broadly. We work to safeguard the food supply, provide vaccines and novel technologies to protect soldiers, and deploy novel technologies to help heal those wounded in battle.

Information on North Carolina's Bio Defense companies in North Carolina can be found in the NCBiotech Company Directory.

Statistics

$4.1B provided by Department of Veterans Affairs in medical care to NC

4th largest military population in the United States

Sources: Department of Veterans Affairs in Medical Care; Geographic Distribution of VA Expenditures; Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA’s) Office of Enterprise Integration (OEI)

Due to the size and significance of federal investments in North Carolina, NCBiotech and its partners are working to leverage the state's innovative life sciences expertise to address critical military and national security challenges. Developing strategies to better align the state’s well-recognized life sciences strengths with the Department of Defense (DoD) and national security strategic priorities will enable our state to be a critical solution provider on challenging problems, while also increasing defense funding to support North Carolina researchers and companies.

Some of these NCBiotech-led activities include:

Providing grants for university-based researchers and small businesses that have a technology that addresses a need in the Bio Defense arena and educate and support their efforts in seeking DoD or homeland security relationships and funding
Promoting and representing North Carolina at targeted military and federal Bio Defense conferences throughout the United States and promote our state's life sciences capabilities
Hosting or sponsoring conferences where military, government, academic and industry experts can network and collaborate
Connecting military, industry and academia partners to promote North Carolina’s Bio Defense capabilities at the state and federal level

Resources

Military Outreach and Veterans Engagement (MOVE) Program

North Carolina’s life sciences sector is growing rapidly—and it needs skilled, mission-driven professionals. The Military Outreach and Veterans Engagement (MOVE) Program, a DoD SkillBridge-approved initiative, connects transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses with meaningful careers in this dynamic sector.

MOVE gives industry partners access to highly-trained, adaptable leaders who thrive under pressure. Through targeted recruiting, career coaching, and consulting, we bridge the gap between the military community and employers, ensuring a smooth transition and long-term workforce success.

Service members and their families deserve careers that offer purpose, growth, and competitive pay. MOVE helps make that possible through personalized coaching, training opportunities, and direct employer connections, with no science background required.

Whether you're an industry partner looking to grow your talent pipeline or a veteran ready for your next mission, visit our MOVE web page to learn more.

Reference Resource

For a list of biomedical and biodefense government acronyms, click here:

Post-Event Information

Medical, Biomedical and Biodefense: Support to America's Warfighters and Veterans
September 23-24, 2026

Attendee List

Available upon request. Contact Jaycie Beam at [email protected].

Presentations

Opening Session:

Welcome and Orientation
Warfighter Strong: Medical & Human Performance Needs of the Fighting Force
44th Medical Brigade, Fort Bragg
From Requirement to Reality: Industry on the Front Lines

Breakout Sessions:

11:00 - 12:15: Business Opportunities with the Department of War& Defense Logistics Agency
11:00 - 12:15: Medical Innovation Opportunities with Consortia and Federal Agencies
2:00 - 3:15: Business Opportunities in Operational & Medical Logistics with Military Service Medical Commands Business Opportunities
2:00 - 3:15: AI Enabled Healthcare: “Doc in a Box”
3:30 - 5:00: Business Opportunities with the Department of Veterans Affairs
3:30 - 5:00: Innovation Opportunities in Chemical, Biological, Radiological & Nuclear Defense

Lunch and Remarks

Keynote Remarks: Dr. Michael McGinnis, Navy Medicine Executive Director, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery
Senior Executive Leadership in Medical Acquisition

Bio Defense News & Events

October 2, 2025

Military offers business opportunities for medical technologies and supplies

The U.S. military has the most advanced technology of any fighting force, but there’s still room for improvement when it comes to medical equipment, supplies and devices used in combat.

That assessment came from speakers at the Medical, Biomedical and Biodefense Symposium held in late September at the Friday Center at UNC-Chapel Hill.

June 3, 2024

Cary CRO Allucent wins $25.5M COVID-19 project award

An industry consortium funded by a federal agency has chosen Allucent, a Cary-based clinical research organization, for its initial project award for a decentralized clinical trial involving the next generation of COVID-19 vaccines.

February 27, 2024

GXP-Storage locates new global HQ in Nash County

GXP-Storage, a leading provider of regulatory compliant storage solutions life sciences research, manufacturing, and healthcare-related biomedical and biodefense clients, has selected Nash County for its international headquarters. The first facility, to open in May 2024, will add over 200,000 cubic feet of secure storage space to meet the growing demand from regulated research and manufacturing activities in the Research Triangle.

For questions or more information, contact:
Mary Beth Thomas, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President, Science and Business Development Science and Business Development 919-549-8844 | [email protected]