The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), through the Joint Science and Technology Office (JSTO) Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), has released a new Request for Prototype Proposals (RPP-25-07) under the Medical CBRN Defense Consortium (MCDC). This Request for Project Proposals, titled “Defined Rapid Antigen Identification and Immunogenic Characterization” (DRAIIC), aims to increase protection against infectious agents.
Solicitation Overview and Technical Requirements
The DRAIIC initiative seeks to develop novel technologies capable of rapidly identifying immune-relevant antigens in emerging and novel bacterial, viral, and toxin-based threats for incorporation into current vaccine platforms. Offerors are expected to propose approaches that utilize in silico analysis of nucleic acid sequences to pinpoint antigens most likely to elicit robust and lasting immunity. The proposed technology should provide sufficient information for immediate inclusion of lead antigenic molecules into existing multiplex platforms to optimize vaccine formulation and delivery. Awardees are expected to regularly engage with the FDA, and successful candidates may undergo advanced development in pre-Investigational New Drugs, and eventually may proceed to clinical trials.
Key Dates:
- Enhanced White Papers Due: July 11, 2025, by 12:00 PM ET
- Anticipated Award Date: November 2025
- Expected Period of Performance: Up to 5 years
The technologies resulting from this solicitation will play a critical role in improving the DoD’s preparedness and response capabilities against future epidemic or pandemic threats. By enabling faster identification of vaccine candidates, the work contributes directly to enhanced force readiness and broader public health protection through adaptable, platform-based immunization strategies.
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