Biodefense and Pandemic Vaccine and Drug Development Act of 2006

The House passed the Biodefense and Pandemic Vaccine and Drug Development Act of 2006 today, which would establish the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) in the Department of Health and Human Services. BARDA will develop advanced countermeasures to pandemic viruses and defenses against biological attacks.

The bill provides $160 million in funding for BARDA in 2007 and 2008 and calls for the authority to streamline development of drugs designed to counter pandemics or biological attacks.

HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt said the legislation strengthens Project BioShield, approved by President Bush in 2004 and designed to develop drugs to protect against attacks by chemical, biological or radioactive weapons.

Leavitt said the legislation will allow HHS to make milestone-based advance payments under BioShield to drug manufacturers. The act will streamline biodefense medical countermeasure development and procurement processes and make them more transparent and predictable.

The bill also calls for HHS to set up a National Biodefense Science Board and working groups with representatives from federal agencies; four representatives from pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries; and four from academia. The representatives will serve three-year terms.

The board will advise HHS on current and future trends and advances in biological and life sciences, biotechnology, and genetic engineering. It will also identify new technologies that counter bioattacks or infectious diseases.

The Senate referred its version of the bill to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee in April. Leavitt said he looks forward to working with Congress to resolve any remaining issues and clear the way for final passage of the bill this year.