The Medical Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense Consortium (MCDC), managed by Advanced Technology International (ATI), has issued a Request for Information (RFI) focused on “Host-Directed Medical Countermeasures.” This effort, led in support of the Capability Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense (CPE CBRND), represents an early step toward shaping a future program aimed at strengthening warfighter resilience against complex threat environments. Unlike traditional approaches that target specific agents, this initiative seeks to advance therapies that enhance the body’s innate ability to withstand and recover from chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) exposures.
At its core, this RFI signals a strategic shift toward host-directed therapeutics (HDTx), medical countermeasures designed to modulate physiological pathways rather than directly targeting pathogens or toxins. The government’s objective is to enable a threat-agnostic capability, where a single therapeutic can address multiple exposure scenarios by acting on shared mechanisms of injury. This approach not only enhances military readiness but also introduces dual-use potential across civilian critical care settings. Importantly, this RFI is issued strictly for information and planning purposes, and does not constitute a solicitation or guarantee future funding.
RFI Overview and Technical Focus
The Host-Directed Therapeutics program, anticipated to launch in Fiscal Year 2027 (FY2027), is intended to identify and advance mature, broad-spectrum medical countermeasures capable of preserving operational effectiveness in contested environments. The program emphasizes solutions that strengthen core physiological systems immune, neurological, hematological, and vascular to mitigate the downstream effects of CBRN exposure.
To achieve this, the RFI outlines four priority categories of interest. First, immune system modulators are sought to enhance protective immunity and regulate hyperinflammatory responses such as cytokine storms. Second, cellular and tissue protection agents should demonstrate the ability to activate deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) repair, reduce oxidative stress, and stabilize mitochondrial and endothelial function. Third, neuroprotective agents are of interest for their ability to suppress neuroinflammation, mitigate seizures, and preserve cognitive function following exposure to neurotoxic agents. Finally, hematologic and vascular stabilizers are desired to regulate coagulation, prevent vascular leakage, and support hematopoietic recovery following bone marrow injury.
The government is specifically targeting clinically mature candidates. At a minimum, respondents are expected to demonstrate an established Phase I safety profile, with preference given to therapies that have shown efficacy in Phase II trials or validated animal models consistent with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Animal Rule. Desired product attributes include field-stable formulations without cold-chain requirements, ease of administration (e.g., oral, intranasal, injectable), and minimal monitoring burden. Additionally, alignment with regulatory pathways such as Fast Track designation or biologics license application (BLA) processes is highly advantageous.
Submission Requirements and Evaluation Priorities
Respondents are asked to submit a white paper (maximum three pages) accompanied by a one-page quad chart. The white paper must address four key areas: (1) technical approach and product maturity, including mechanism of action and efficacy data; (2) regulatory and clinical status, including Investigational New Drug (IND) applications and clinical trial history; (3) manufacturing and supply chain capabilities, with an emphasis on scalability and sourcing; and (4) company experience and teaming strategy.
The government has made clear that technical maturity and regulatory readiness will be the primary evaluation criteria. Submissions that provide robust, data-driven evidence, particularly from validated in vivo models and clinical studies, will be of greatest interest. The quad chart must supplement this with a concise overview of product value, development timeline, rough order of magnitude cost, and intellectual property considerations.
Key Dates
- Response Deadline: April 17, 2026 at 12:00 PM Eastern Time
Responses must be submitted via email to MCDC, and while consortium membership is not required at this stage, it may become necessary if a future solicitation is released.
Funding Outlook
As a Request for Information, this announcement does not include funding details, award size, or number of anticipated awards. However, it is explicitly positioned as market research to inform a future program expected in FY2027, indicating that follow-on opportunities are likely to emerge for organizations aligned with the outlined technical priorities.
Strategic Implications for Human Health and Industry
The Host-Directed Therapeutics initiative represents a meaningful advancement in how the Department of Defense approaches medical countermeasures. By investing in therapies that strengthen the body’s intrinsic defense and recovery mechanisms, this effort has the potential to transform not only warfighter survivability but also the treatment of complex injuries in civilian healthcare settings, including trauma, sepsis, and radiation exposure. The dual-use nature of these solutions underscores their broader impact on human health, particularly in scenarios where rapid, scalable, and broadly effective treatments are required.
If your team is exploring how to align with this opportunity, we invite you to connect with EverGlade to turn this emerging federal priority into a tangible growth opportunity.
