On April 18, the Patch Forward Prize team hosted a virtual information session to provide an overview of the competition and answer questions. Dr. Robert Johnson, Director of BARDA’s Medical Countermeasures Program, discussed how the prize will accelerate breakthroughs in vaccine technology.
Watch the session recording and continue reading for highlights from the information session.
Review a summary of frequently asked questions and answers, read the transcript, and download the presentation.
Now is the time for vaccine innovation
The $50 million Patch Forward Prize is among the largest incentive prizes in the history of the federal government. With this competition, BARDA and Project NextGen are exploring how open innovation can be used to stimulate product and technology development that is vital to public health.
“We’re currently in a pivotal moment, when we have an opportunity to enhance our nation’s preparedness against future pandemics. The Patch Forward Prize is a response to this need, aiming to drive innovation in vaccine delivery technologies. By putting our efforts towards vaccine innovation, particularly how vaccines are administered, we could help address a number of limitations associated with existing vaccines and immunization programs.”
– Robert Johnson, P.h.D., Director, Medical Countermeasures Program, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Answers to frequently asked questions
Attendees had the chance to ask questions during the live information session. Review the FAQs to see responses related to eligibility, submission requirements, awards, and more.
Concept papers are due October 3, 2024
The initial stage of the prize invites eligible entrants — namely RNA vaccine developers and patch makers engaging in strategic partnerships — to submit concept papers detailing their respective technologies, proposed product, plans for development, and functional testing. The concept papers are expected to address key considerations for product development and formulation, regulatory review and approval, preclinical and clinical evaluation, and manufacturing processes to advance a safe, tolerable, and immunogenic patch-based RNA vaccine.
Concept Stage submissions open on August 1, 2024. Prospective entrants can preview the submission form as well as browse curated resources related to vaccine patch technology, product development, and regulatory navigation.