USAMRIID — U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases

Background

Established in 1969, the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) serves as the Department of Defense's lead laboratory for medical biological defense research. Located at Fort Detrick, Maryland, USAMRIID's mission is to provide leading-edge medical capabilities to deter and defend against current and emerging biological threat agents. The institute is uniquely equipped to study highly hazardous viruses at Biosafety Level 4, the highest containment level, ensuring the safety and security of its personnel and the broader community.

Key Strategic Focus

USAMRIID's strategic focus encompasses the development of medical countermeasures—including vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, and information resources—to protect military personnel and civilians from biological threats. The institute specializes in:

Research and Development: Conducting basic and applied research on biological agents to develop effective countermeasures.

Diagnostics: Developing rapid diagnostic assays for the identification of infectious agents.

Training and Education: Providing training programs to military and civilian personnel on the detection, identification, and management of biological threats.

Collaboration: Partnering with other federal agencies, international organizations, and private industry to enhance biodefense capabilities.

The institute's primary markets include the U.S. Department of Defense, federal agencies, and international partners involved in public health and biodefense.

Financials and Funding

As a government-funded entity, USAMRIID does not engage in traditional funding rounds or have external investors. Its financial resources are allocated through the U.S. Department of Defense's budget, which supports its research, development, and operational activities. The institute's funding is utilized for:

Infrastructure: Maintaining and upgrading laboratory facilities, including Biosafety Level 3 and 4 containment laboratories.

Research Programs: Supporting ongoing and new research initiatives focused on biological threat agents.

Personnel: Compensating a diverse team of military and civilian scientists, technicians, and support staff.

Training and Outreach: Developing and delivering training programs and educational materials.

Pipeline Development

USAMRIID's pipeline development focuses on creating and evaluating medical countermeasures against a range of biological threats, including viruses, bacteria, and toxins. Key pipeline candidates and initiatives include:

Ebola Virus Disease: Collaborations with organizations like GeoVax Labs to develop vaccines targeting Ebola and other hemorrhagic fever viruses.

SARS-CoV-2: Partnerships with companies such as Navrogen to test small molecule NK cell activators against COVID-19.

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus: Collaborations with entities like LifeArc to develop monoclonal antibodies for this virus.

These initiatives are in various stages of development, from preclinical studies to early-phase clinical trials, with timelines aligned to address both current and emerging biological threats.

Technological Platform and Innovation

USAMRIID employs several proprietary technologies and scientific methodologies to advance its research:

Biosafety Level 3 and 4 Laboratories: State-of-the-art facilities that enable the safe study of highly hazardous infectious agents.

Animal Models: Development of animal models of aerosol exposure to biological threat agents to test the efficacy of medical countermeasures.

Diagnostic Assays: Rapid diagnostic assays, such as the Ebola Zaire Real-Time PCR Assay Test Kit, authorized for use under Emergency Use Authorization.

Collaborative Research: Engagement in Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs) with various organizations to enhance biodefense capabilities.

Leadership Team

USAMRIID is led by a team of military and civilian professionals dedicated to its mission:

Colonel Tracy J. Ostrom: Commander of USAMRIID, overseeing all operations and strategic initiatives.

Senior Enlisted Leader SGM Emily L. Green: Provides leadership and guidance to enlisted personnel, ensuring effective support for the institute's mission.

The leadership team is committed to advancing medical biological defense to protect military personnel and the nation.

Competitor Profile

As a government entity, USAMRIID does not have direct competitors in the traditional sense. However, it collaborates with and is complemented by other organizations in the biodefense and infectious disease research sectors, including:

Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR): Focuses on infectious disease research and development of medical countermeasures.

U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense (USAMRICD): Specializes in medical chemical defense research.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Conducts public health research and response to infectious disease outbreaks.

World Health Organization (WHO): Provides global leadership in public health and coordinates international responses to health emergencies.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

USAMRIID engages in various collaborations to enhance its research and development efforts:

GeoVax Labs: Collaborated on the development of a tetravalent vaccine against Ebola, Marburg, and Lassa fever viruses.

Navrogen: Entered into a CRADA to test small molecule NK cell activators against SARS-CoV-2.

Maxwell Biosciences: Engaged in multiple CRADAs to test Claromer compounds as potential therapeutics for viral and bacterial pathogens.

Operational Insights

USAMRIID's unique capabilities, including its Biosafety Level 3 and 4 containment laboratories and expertise in biodefense research, position it as a leader in the field. Its collaborations with other federal agencies, international organizations, and private industry enhance its ability to develop and deploy medical countermeasures effectively.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

USAMRIID continues to focus on:

Advancing Medical Countermeasures: Developing vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics for emerging infectious diseases and biological threats.

Enhancing Detection Capabilities: Improving pathogen detection methods, such as the use of molecular inversion probes for rapid identification.

Expanding Collaborations: Strengthening partnerships with other research institutions, industry leaders, and international organizations to enhance biodefense capabilities.