IBBR Researchers Participate in NIH Established Pandemic Preparedness Research Network

The University of Maryland Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research (IBBR) received a $2.95M grant subaward from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct cutting-edge research aimed at developing vaccines and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to combat high-priority viral pathogens. The Paramyxoviridae and Bunyavirales Vaccines and Antibodies (PABVAX) Center, which is co-led by The University of Texas Medical Branch and Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences focuses on three major viral families: arenaviruses, nairoviruses and paraviruses. These viruses are known for their potential to cause severe outbreaks and pandemics, presenting a significant threat to global public health.

“In this effort, IBBR will lead the development of polyphosphazene immunoadjuvant and vaccine delivery vehicles, which are uniquely positioned for intradermal administration using advanced dissolvable microneedle patches (MNP),” said Alexander K. Andrianov, Research Professor and Fellow at IBBR. “Our team is excited to participate in this critical initiative in pandemic preparedness.”

IBBR will collaborate with a network of esteemed institutions and industry leaders, which include:

• University of Texas Medical Branch
• Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS)
• The University of Pittsburgh
• Mapp Biopharmaceutical, Inc.
• Genovac Antibody Discovery, LLC
• Washington State University
• Vanderbilt University Medical Center
• Georgia State University
• University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

“We are honored to participate in the Research and Development of Vaccines and Monoclonal Antibodies for Pandemic Preparedness (ReVAMPP) Center grant and look forward to leveraging our expertise and collaborating with our partners,” Dr. Andrianov added.