Category Archives: Uncategorized

Michael G. Kurilla Describes Key Contributions of NIAID to US Biosecurity: Part I

Michael G. Kurilla, MD, PhD Director Office of BioDefense Research Affairs, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Description Dr. Kurilla describes the key contributions of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to US biosecurity, including early … Continue reading

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Robert Kadlec Discusses 3 Key Improvements to US Biodefense Policy

Robert Kadlec, MD Former Special Assistant to the President for Biodefense Policy Description Dr. Kadlec discusses 3 key improvements to US biodefense policy that he believes are achievable within 5 years. Dr. Kadlec has served in both the executive and … Continue reading

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Interview with Luciana Borio

http://youtu.be/M9ha3xHlUpg

Luciana Borio, MD

Assistant Commissioner for Counterterrorism Policy and Director, Office of Counterterrorism and Emerging Threats in the Office of the Chief Scientist, US Food and Drug Administration

Description

In this interview, Dr. Borio outlines the evolving role that the Food Drug Administration (FDA) has assumed in the development of medical countermeasures. Under Dr. Borio’s leadership, the FDA has established the Medical Countermeasure Initiative (MCMi), which is an effort to hasten the development of these products, and to improve their odds of achieving FDA approval. The MCMi has made investments in improving the regulatory science that will be necessary for government’s ability to evaluate a new generation of medical products. Here, Dr. Borio discusses some of the successes that the FDA has achieved in this arena, such as the ability to evaluate and approve multiplex diagnostic assays, as well as the challenges that remain.

Video produced by the Center for Biosecurity of UPMC

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Interview with Phyllis Arthur

http://youtu.be/eFDkRPkn8zY

Phyllis Arthur
Senior Director, Vaccines, Immunotherapeutics and Diagnostics Policy, Biotechnology Industry Organization

Description
The timely availability of medical countermeasures—drugs, vaccines and other medical resources needed for a robust response—is a key component of US biosecurity. Ms. Arthur discusses the role of public-private partnerships in drug and vaccine development and production and broadly outlines the roles that Congress, the Administration, and the private sector play regarding US biodefense policy.

As a senior leader at the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), Ms. Arthur has a unique and critical role at the interface between the resources and requirements of the US government and the research, development, manufacturing, and production capabilities of private industry.

Video produced by the Center for Biosecurity of UPMC

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http://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/website/resources/multimedia/2012_behind_the_scenes/01_arthur.html

From the Center for Biosecurity of UPMC

Phyllis Arthur video image   Phyllis Arthur, Senior Director, Vaccines, Immunotherapeutics and Diagnostics Policy, Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), discusses the role of public-private partnerships in drug and vaccine development and production and broadly outlines the roles that Congress, the Administration, and the private sector play regarding US biodefense policy. As a senior leader at BIO, Ms. Arthur has a unique and critical role at the interface between the resources and requirements of the US government and the research, development, manufacturing, and production capabilities of private industry. Watch Video

 

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CENTERLINE-The Novel

I just finished reading CENTERLINE–one of the best novels I have ever read. CENTERLINE captures the incredible story of the U.S. military’s medical system–moving the wounded from the battlefield all way the back to their hometowns. However, no matter how … Continue reading

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Well it’s about time…

On Oct 20, 2010, this blog had a post titled, “Vaccine to Burn” talking about the folly of allowing anthrax vaccine to be destroyed because it had exceeded its shelf-life. There are far better alternatives:  offer it to volunteer first … Continue reading

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Emerging Leaders in Biosecurity Initiative

The Center for Biosecurity of UPMC has launched the Emerging Leaders in Biosecurity Initiative, a competitive program that will develop and maintain a network of promising early career professionals from multiple disciplines who are considering future careers in biosecurity.   In … Continue reading

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The Risk of Engineering a Highly Transmissible H5N1 Virus Editorial by Thomas V. Inglesby, Anita Cicero,and D. A. Henderson    Thomas V. Inglesby, MD, is the Chief Executive Officer and Director; Anita Cicero, JD, is Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Director; … Continue reading

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Response to Dr. Salzberg’s Commentary in Forbes

A few comments on Dr. Steven Salzberg’s  posting in Forbes on October 30:    Link Testing the Anthrax Vaccine on Children: Getting the Facts Right I cannot comment on the wide range of opinions within the biodefense, public health, and medical … Continue reading

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