Transforming the way we protect those who protect us.

Bio Defense

The NCBiotech Bio Defense program expands the life sciences base of North Carolina’s $80 billion defense economy.

Our Bio Defense outreach goes far beyond concerns over bioterrorism. The NCBiotech team and its partners, including North Carolina's small businesses, researchers, and military representatives, are thinking more broadly. We work to provide vaccines for soldiers to protect the food supply, and to find how best to deploy novel technologies that will protect our soldiers and heal those who sustain wounds in battle.

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

Statistics

12

percent of NC's GDP is military

653,000

total jobs supported

$80B

total economic impact in NC

$3.3B

provided by Department of Veterans Affairs in medical care to NC

7

major military installations

4th

largest military population in the United States

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 support 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

For additional information, check out our Bio Defense Initiative two-pager

Biomedical Advanced Research & Development Authority (BARDA) Resources

BARDA is providing a portal for the U.S. government 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) medical countermeasures task force to provide a single point of entry for the submission of market research packages from interested stakeholders. Click here to view the portal website.

For future BARDA DRIVe opportunities, sign up for the listserv.

If you or your company are developing a medical countermeasure or platform technology to combat chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear threats, pandemic influenza or other emerging infectious diseases, you can get insights and strategic advice from HHS/ASPR Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) at a TechWatch meeting.

BARDA TechWatch meetings are your chance to introduce your proposed solution that may meet one or more of BARDA’s current priorities, and are the beginning of an important dialogue.

TechWatch meetings can be a good way in which to also get insights from other professionals from other governmental agencies with related portfolios. They can take several weeks to a couple of months to schedule so take that into consideration in your planning.

Click here for the TechWatch website

First Flight Venture Center BARDA DRIVe Health Security Accelerator

First Flight Venture Center is a BARDA DRIVe Health Security Accelerator. First Flight collaborates with the DRIVe team to identify the most innovative solutions for BARDA funding. A detailed listing of related events and current BARDA and BARDA DRIVe funding opportunities can be found by visiting First Flight's BARDA DRIVe website.

For further information or to be added to First Flight's BARDA DRIVe network distribution list, please contact Emil Runge, First Flight's BARDA DRIVe program manager.

DEFTECH COFFEE CALL, August 26, 2022
Click on the above link to listen to Mary Beth Thomas, Ph.D. and Rob Lindberg, Ph.D. discuss the North Carolina Biotechnology Center - What is it and how can it help? Every Friday at 9:00 a.m. (EST), grab your coffee, bring your ideas, and join the NC Defense Technology Transition (DEFTECH) community for an open, informal, virtual “Coffee Call” to address your concerns and ideas regarding innovation, technology, and commensurate leadership challenges. For more information, contact DEFTECH at deftech@ncmbc.us.

PODCAST: Defense Technology Talks presented by NC DEFTECH:
Click on the above link to listen to Stephen DeLellis (Geneva Foundation), Dennis McGurk (RTI), Fran Perez-Wilhite (NCMBC), and Mary Beth Thomas (NCBiotech) discuss the support to the warfighter event 2022 and how human performance fits in well with North Carolina's strength and existing assets.

Medical, Biomedical and Biodefense: Support to the Warfighter Symposium 2022: Post-Event Information
Click on the link above to review the attendee list, presentations that were approved for posting, and photos from the event.

View the Latest Updates From BARDA

Tweets by BARDA

Bio Defense News & Events

October 5, 2023 - October 6, 2023

ConvergeSouth 2023

This two-day event will feature:

Expert-led breakout sessions
A startup expo with 75 exhibiting companies
Investment firms from across the Southeast

Call for Presentations

Topics should be of interest to founders that will be attending and exhibiting, as well as the digerati in the region. They should focus on sales, marketing, operational systems, digital media, fundraising, tech platforms, etc.

June 20, 2023 - June 20, 2023

The Business of Innovation

Early-stage businesses face a unique set of foundational challenges during the early stages of growth. The “Business of Innovation” is a workshop series offered in multiple locations throughout North Carolina that highlights the unique needs of innovation-driven companies, including university spinouts.

Learn from experts in the areas of dilutive and non-dilutive funding, legal & IP, business development, and university tech transfer, and network with successful innovation-oriented entrepreneurs.

June 15, 2023 - June 15, 2023

Finding Alpha in Agritech's Next Sustainability Revolution

Whether you're an investor considering allocating assets to the dynamic agrifood sector, working in the sector or exploring ag careers, please join Vidavo Ventures on June 15 to hear a venture perspective on the state of ag innovation.

Attendees will gain a deeper knowledge of agrifood innovation trends, the sector’s opportunities and challenges and unique venture investment strategies to drive strong returns and positive climate impact. Don't miss an opportunity to connect with industry experts, engage with investors and expand your network.

For questions or more information, contact:
Mary Beth Thomas, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President, Science and Business Development Emerging Company Development 919-549-8844 | marybeth_thomas@ncbiotech.org

Read about North Carolina Life Sciences in American Affairs Journal.