Innovating, Advocating & Helping Keep Americans Safe

Our Mission 

 

The Alliance for Biosecurity promotes a stronger, more effective partnership between government, the biopharmaceutical industry, and other stakeholders in order to advance their shared goal of developing critically needed medical countermeasures.  The Alliance also seeks to develop sound public policy proposals that could bolster national efforts to rapidly develop, produce, stockpile, and distribute medical countermeasures. Read more from our co-chairs here.

 

Highlights and Events

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Alliance for Biosecurity pens letter to US Trade Rep Katherine Tai opposing proposed TRIPS waiver for COVID-19-related drugs and products: "We believe granting this waiver will not address the underlying supply chain and component shortages that are actually to blame for any vaccine shortage; will not accelerate vaccine deployment, which remains the mutual goal of industry and government alike; and will not benefit the United States’ long-term strategic interests." Read more.

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Biosecurity leaders looking forward to working with Biden-Harris administration: "Since our founding in 2008, the Alliance and our members have worked hand-in-hand with leaders from both parties to develop the public-private partnerships that keep Americans safe from biological, chemical and radiological threats - whether man-made or natural. President Biden is committed to helping Americans recover from COVID-19 and the Alliance for Biosecurity stands ready to help our new President fulfill this goal. We're excited to partner with President Biden, Vice President Harris and their various relevant agencies - to work together to protect the American people, from COVID-19 and - importantly - from the next pandemic down the road." Read more.

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We have multiple vaccines but our work is far from over: "Less than 11 months after the first US case of COVID-19, the private sector and its partners in government have delivered at least two successful vaccines – developed in record time and more effective than expected. For this, we are thankful to efforts by the Administration and Congress. However, our work is far from over. With new restrictions and closures across the U.S., government and industry must redouble our efforts, which requires additional support from Congress..." Read more.

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Medical Countermeasures Industry Leaders Respond to Senate Pandemic White Paper: "The Alliance appreciates the opportunity to submit comments in response to your “Preparing for the Next Pandemic: A White Paper."  The Alliance agrees that it is imperative that Congress act on needed changes this year in order to better prepare for the next pandemic, and submits the following comments in response to select questions posed in the White Paper for which the Alliance is uniquely positioned to respond." Read the full letter.

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Alliance for Biosecurity offers both praise and concerns regarding the SNS: "As we have seen during the COVID-19 public health emergency, its role in supplementing state and local supplies during such public health emergencies cannot be overstated.  We are therefore supportive of this important initiative to restock and revamp the SNS and to improve SNS inventory management and distribution. That said, the Alliance is concerned with the Next Gen SNS’s proposed approach, as it fails to take into account the unique considerations associated with those countermeasures for which the SNS is the repository." Read the full letter.

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Health Defense Operations budget increased, Alliance comments: "As a result of supplemental COVID appropriations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now able to invest in depleted state and local public health infrastructure, new laboratory networks, and modernized data systems. Additional CDC funding can boost investment in global health security, as it is now abundantly clear that a health threat is never more than a plane ride away." Read the full comments.

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Thankfully, the doctor is in: An op-ed in The Hill by Alliance for Biosecurity Secretariat Jack Kingston

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Three companies join the Alliance for Biosecurity: “Three new companies have joined the Alliance for Biosecurity in recent weeks, growing the medical countermeasure industry's leading coalition to 21 total members as the world continues to battle the most serious pandemic in generations.

The additions of Emerald Bioscience, iBio and Heat Biologics continue to expand the "wealth of knowledge" and vast array of expertise within the Alliance.” Read more here.

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The Alliance for Biosecurity supports declaring the coronavirus a national emergency: “The Alliance for Biosecurity applauds President Donald Trump’s official declaration of a national emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We support the ensuing expedited protocols, which catalyze a more rapid delivery of vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, and other medical countermeasures to combat the coronavirus. In his announcement, President Trump recognized the work of multiple Alliance member companies working on coronavirus-related projects, including Roche and Emergent BioSolutions. We are proud of all of our members’ work and proud to be part of the public-private partnerships that help protect public health, especially during emergencies such as this. Elected officials, staff, and members of the media are encouraged to contact Alliance leadership any time if we can be of service providing information, background, or updates on biosecurity issues.” Read more here.

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"Alliance for Biosecurity urges Congress to quickly increase funding to address coronavirus" - Homeland Prep News (House Letter, Senate Letter)

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Five companies join the Alliance for Biosecurity: “For the Alliance to accurately represent industry in these situations, it is important that we have well-rounded knowledge to bring to these public-private partnerships. Our new members help give us a vast scope of expertise behind the same singular focus: strong and resilient national health security.” Read more here.

 

Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, Sen. Johnny Isakson, and Sen. Gary Peters earn ‘Biosecurity Champion’ honor: “We applaud your dedication and commitment to the nation’s efforts to prepare, prevent, and protect against public health threats,” said Chris Frech, Co-Chair of the Alliance for Biosecurity and Senior Vice President of Global Government Affairs for Emergent BioSolutions. “Your efforts speak loudly of your concern for the peace of mind and safety of our people. Indeed, a champion for biosecurity is a champion for the American people.” Read more here and here.

 

Alliance for Biosecurity applauds President’s signing of bipartisan PAHPA bill: “PAHPA demonstrates the government’s commitment to strengthening our nation’s preparedness and response capabilities,” said Chris Frech, co-chair of the Alliance for Biosecurity. “PAHPA enables long-term public-private partnerships, which are essential in safeguarding public health and building resilience against chemical and biological threats and emerging infectious diseases. Because of PAHPA, the biodefense industry is better positioned to support the United States’ robust national security strategy.” Read more here.

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Alliance & US Chamber write second letter to Congress in support of PAHPA reauthorization: "On behalf of the Alliance for Biosecurity and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, we support the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act of 2019, and urge the House to pass this bipartisan legislation that would reauthorize the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA). This bill is central to protecting American citizens, organizations, and communities against natural and manmade biosecurity hazards." See the full letter here.

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Secretary of HHS, biosecurity officials, Members of Congress, and industry leaders convene at Congressional Biodefense Caucus event: Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar addressed Members of Congress, staff, Administration officials, and representatives from the Alliance for Biosecurity’s member companies on Capitol Hill Wednesday evening. The discussion, hosted by the Congressional Biodefense Caucus in coordination with the Alliance for Biosecurity, centered around the National Biodefense Strategy and the Administration’s priorities. Read more here.

Biosecurity Experts Commend Congress for Funding Key Biosecurity Efforts Prior to the End of Fiscal Year 2019: America faces real, imminent threats from intentional chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) attacks.  Serious naturally occurring pandemics and infectious disease threats, such as pandemic influenza and Ebola, do not respect borders.  The government cannot protect the American people on its own.  An effective, highly functioning public-private partnership is the best way to prepare.  Members of the Alliance for Biosecurity share a strong commitment to improving our national security in partnership with the federal government through public-private partnerships. Read more here.

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Alliance Invited to Provide Testimony to Congress Regarding 2019 Appropriations: The U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies has invited the Alliance for Biosecurity to provide testimony in a public hearing on Thursday, April 26. Chris Frech, Co-Chair of the Alliance, will testify before the Subcommittee and speak to the importance of consistent, long-term funding that the biosecurity industry relies on to ensure the availability of lifesaving medical countermeasures and to sustain the public-private partnerships that protect national health security. The hearing will take place on Thursday, April 26, at 10 AM EDT. A full list of witnesses providing testimony can be found here.

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SURVEY: Most Americans Favor More Funding and Congressional Support for Biosecurity Capabilities, Public Confidence in US Preparedness to Address Biosecurity Threats Has Dropped: A new nationwide survey of the American electorate reveals that the vast majority of Americans support increased funding to address biosecurity threats. Additionally, most Americans support their elected officials actively engaging to promote and support biosecurity. Nationally, 73% of the 1,612 Americans surveyed say they would have a favorable reaction “if Congress decided to increase the budget this year for developing preventive measures for biological and chemical threats.” How elected officials act on biosecurity issues is important enough to affect voters at the ballot box, according to the survey. A majority of Americans – 52% –  say they are more likely to support their elected representative if that representative is “actively engaged in promoting and supporting biosecurity.” Learn more and see the full survey here.

 

Biosecurity Experts Commend Congress for Historic Increase in Project BioShield Funding, Increased Support for National Health Security in Omnibus: America faces real, imminent threats from intentional chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) attacks.  Serious naturally occurring pandemics and infectious disease threats, such as pandemic influenza and Ebola, do not respect borders.  The government cannot protect the American people on its own.  An effective, highly functioning public-private partnership is the best way to prepare.  Members of the Alliance for Biosecurity share a strong commitment to improving our national security in partnership with the federal government through public-private partnerships.  Read more here.

 

The Alliance for Biosecurity Applauds the Successful Launch of the New Congressional Biodefense Caucus: More than 50 attendees, including Members of Congress, biodefense industry experts, Congressional staff and others, took part in a reception to launch a new Congressional Biodefense Caucus. The caucus already boasts a membership roll including 27 bipartisan Members of Congress and is chaired by Rep. Susan Brooks (R-IN) and Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA). The Alliance issued the following statement: “We are very excited not only about the initiative taken by Members of Congress to form this important new group, but by the exceptional early engagement and increase in Member support of the Congressional Biodefense Caucus. We commend the 27 Members of Congress who have already joined the caucus, and particularly Reps. Brooks and Eshoo for their commitment to leading this new coalition as Chairs. This caucus will help strengthen the biodefense enterprise, identify and fill gaps in preparedness and response capabilities, educate even more Members on these issues and – most importantly – protect the people of the United States from potentially catastrophic chemical or biological threats. Thank you for your dedication to enhancing America’s national security by becoming active members of this caucus, and we look forward to continuing to develop the important public-private partnerships that ensure medical countermeasures are available to protect public health.” Read more here.

 

VIDEO: Alliance for Biosecurity Co-Chair Brent MacGregor testifies at Senate HELP Committee Hearing on "Facing 21st Century Public Health Threats: Our Nation’s Preparedness and Response Capabilities." Watch the full hearing here.