NBACC and Biotechnology Seminar

Over the past two years I have been reviewing the future growth of Fort Detrick and research challenges that are coming. Over the next five years the national biotechnology campus will become a reality and even more high level jobs will come to Frederick. Are we ready?

These are all part of a national plan to protect against terrorism attacks to our citizens. NBACC is part of a nationwide group of institutions that collectively are referred to as the Homeland Security Biodefense Complex. The Complex includes the Plum Island Animal Disease Control Center, the Biodefense Knowledge Center, the national laboratories, and the university-based Homeland Security Centers of Excellence. The following map shows the current planned locations.

Homeland Security Biodefense Centers in the United States

National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center

The National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center (NBACC) facility will be located within the National Interagency Biodefense Campus at Fort Detrick, Maryland. NBACC will have a biocontainment laboratory space for biological threat characterization and bioforensic research.

Composition of NBACC

NBACC at Fort Detrick will include:

n National Bioforensic Analysis Center (NBFAC). The lead federal facility to conduct and facilitate the technical forensic analysis and interpretation of materials recovered following a biological attack.

n Biological Threat Characterization Center (BTCC). Conduct studies and experiments to fill in information gaps to better understand current and future biological threats to protect U.S. citizens.

Facility Status

DHS completed the environmental planning and public review for construction of the NBACC facility with a Record of Decision on January 26, 2005. The architectural and engineering (A&E) contract will soon be awarded with groundbreaking planned for 2006 and completion of the building by 2008.

n The building will be about 160,000 square feet.

n There will be about 120 researchers and support staff.

n An interim capability for the NBFAC has been established in partnership with the FBI and the U.S. Army at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID).

The National Interagency Biodefense Campus

NBACC will on the new National Interagency Biodefense Campus at Fort Detrick. Other agencies sharing the Ft. Detrick National Interagency Biodefense Campus are (each with separate buildings):

n NIH National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).

n Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service and Foreign Disease-Weed Science Research Unit (FDWSRU).

n Department of Defense’s U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID).

NBACC in the Biodefense Campus

These laboratories have will collaborate for a comprehensive understanding of biological agent characteristics (NBACC), learning about the disease process (NIAID Integrated Research Facility), and developing products to reduce risks to human health and agricultural productivity (USAMRIID, and in a future laboratory on food pathogens (USDA-Agricultural Research Service).

Seminar on Superior Biotechnologies

The U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC) is sponsoring another special seminar on biotechnology. This event will be July 14, 2005 (8:00 am – 3:00 pm) at the FSK Holiday Inn.

The fee is $60/person with registration on line at www.mdhitech.org or call 240-453-6212 before July 7^th. For more program information contact Ron Kaese at rkaese@marylandtedco.org or the Fort Detrick Business Development Office at http://www.fdbdo.com or call at 301-620-7071.

The event will begin with remarks by COL James A. Romano, Jr., Acting Commander of the USAMRMC. This is another chance to learn more about Fort Detrick through presentations and displays:

n How to do business with USAMRMC.

n Information sources to do business with USAMRMC.

n Future medical solutions through research, advanced technology and partnerships.

n Streamlined medical logistics, facilities and acquisition management.

n Sustain medical information management/information technology solutions.

n Best business and program management solutions.

General Seminar Schedule

The schedule will include many scientific seminars allowing scientists to discuss challenges of the future. There are more than 24 speakers in a series of seminars during the day; all are high level government and business people. These seminars and presentations will include:

n Creation of the BioDefense Campus at Fort Detrick.

n USAMRAA Programs in Support of Medical Research and Technology Transfer.

n Development to Production: U.S. Army Medical Materiel Development Activity (USAMMDA).

n The Fort Detrick Technology Transfer Initiative.

n Fort Detrick Business Development Office and Virtual One Stop Shop.

n Biaera Technologies, LLC — A Success Story.

n Infectious Diseases Research.

n Chemical and Biodefense Research.

n Medical Product Development and Chemical Biological Medical Systems (CBMS).

n TEDCO Funding Opportunities.

n Operational Medicine Research.

n Casualty Care Research.

n Telemedicine & Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC).

Summary

Keep aware of activities in Fort Detrick. Remember, there are 38 tenant commands and NBACC is only one of the many that are coming. Watch for opportunities in Frederick Business Week.