Battelle, the world’s largest independent research and development organization, has won a single-source award from the US Department of Health and Human Services’ National Institutes of Health (NIH) for evaluation and testing services for vaccines and other biologics for infectious diseases. The work, worth as much as $102.5 million for 10 years, will be conducted at Battelle’s biosafety level three laboratories and new toxicology research facility in West Jefferson, Ohio.

The award will support the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (DMID) in development of medical countermeasures against infectious diseases, including vaccines and biologics directed against emerging and biodefense pathogens.

“This contract is exactly the type of work we are built for at Battelle,” said Barbara Kunz, president of Battelle’s Health and Life Sciences Global Business. “It spans several areas of expertise and supports the government clients that we hold in high regard.”

The effort provides for a diverse suite of preclinical, nonclinical and clinical testing on an as-needed basis to obtain critical data that will contribute to an eventual decision by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about the product’s safety and efficacy.

The contract will evaluate the efficacy, immunogenicity, and safety of vaccines and analyze samples from clinical trials.

These services are intended to help a wide variety of investigators obtain critical data needed to acquire additional funding, gain prospective partnerships, fulfill regulatory requirements, and complete studies needed to apply for an IND and enter Phase I/II/III clinical trials.

Battelle provides innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing needs through its four global businesses: Laboratory Management; National Security; Health and Life Sciences; and Energy, Environment and Material Sciences.It is also is one of the nation’s leading charitable trusts focusing on societal and economic impact and actively supporting and promoting science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.