The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) in the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), supports advanced development and availability of countermeasures for CBRN threats, pandemic

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influenza, and emerging infectious diseases through advanced product development, stockpile acquisition/building, manufacturing infrastructure building, and product innovation.

BARDA establishes and maintains business collaborations by means of grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts with the public and private sectors, domestically and internationally.

Novel influenza viruses such as H5N1 avian influenza virus, the 2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza virus and the recent H7N9 avian influenza virus are reminders of the constant threat of emergence of a massive and deadly influenza pandemic.

It is widely accepted that a well-matched pandemic vaccine could significantly decrease the mortality and morbidity associated with the next pandemic.

However, the global production capacity is insufficient to meet the expected pandemic response needs.

Furthermore, developing countries are dependent on the availability and accessibility of vaccines manufactured by multinational producers in developed countries.

BARDA has sought to increase the global pandemic influenza vaccine production capacity and supply in both developed and developing countries to allow for a global vaccine response to a severe influenza pandemic.