Biomedical engineers -- this is a moment to bring out our best. While principles from social engineering have shaped the initial pandemic response, bioengineered technologies must ultimately be deployed to restore health to those with the virus, reduce its spread, and return us safely to full function as a society.

In the fourth congressional supplement, NIBIB received $500 million to support the development of new SARS-CoV-2 virus testing technologies. We stood up the RADx Tech program, part of a new NIH initiative to do just that. Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx) leverages NIBIB's existing Point-of-Care Technologies Research Network (POCTRN) to accelerate the development, validation, and commercialization of innovative POC and home-based tests, as well as improvements to existing clinical laboratory methods. RADx is supporting the full range of product development including technology validation, clinical translation, commercialization, and product distribution.

Due to the overwhelming response, NIH and POCTRN have suspended the RADxSM Fast-Track Program for COVID-19 Test Development and Distribution submission portal and are currently not accepting new applications. Those who have previously submitted complete applications that meet the eligibility criteria will be reviewed. If additional resources to support the RADxSM program become available, NIH and POCTRN may re-evaluate this decision and could consider accepting applications once again. In the meantime, those interested in the RADxSM program are encouraged to pursue other funding opportunities offered by NIH.

General information about the RADx Tech program can be found on our RADx Tech page.   

Previously, NIBIB received $60 million in new resources via the third supplemental appropriation from Congress, specifically for accelerating COVID-19 activities. We are significantly contributing to this global effort by creating, adapting, and applying technologies that address critical unmet needs revealed by COVID-19.  

NIBIB's goal is to accelerate research, translation, and commercialization of technologies that will make a difference in this battle. In addition to our launch of the RADx program, we are continuing to support several areas of technology development through previously issued NOSIs. These mechanisms are being used to advance a broad range of topics including the following:

• Rapid POC and home-based testing/diagnostics 
• Wearable, implantable, and remote sensors/imagers for physiological monitoring
• Medical imaging technologies and algorithms/artificial intelligence (AI) for rapid detection, diagnosis, and monitoring of lung infection
• Non-contact sensing and imaging for rapid mass screening and vital sign assessment
• Digital health platforms and models that integrate data, assess risk, and provide illness surveillance and management tools
• Technologies (including simulation platforms) for training healthcare workers and optimizing clinical workflows
• Robotic and automation technologies to limit caregivers' exposure and/or reduce the burden on the health care system
• Technologies for protecting healthcare workers, first responders, and caregivers
• Oxygenation systems (e.g. ECMO, ventilators, intubation) and components designed for rapid deployment, access, and potential operation by minimally trained personnel
• High-confidence disinfection technologies 
• Novel therapeutic strategies using engineered biological systems, including cell-based and synthetic biology technologies.

NIBIB stands at the crossroads of multiple biomedical imaging and bioengineering communities. Our goal is to galvanize them by providing a pipeline for promising technologies. As a next point in the pipeline, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of HHS, is soliciting proposals for advanced development and licensure of COVID-19 diagnostics, vaccines, or medicines such as therapeutics or antivirals.

I was pleased to see an exciting new tool now available for the research community to respond to the coronavirus pandemic: the NIH National Library of Medicine has collaborated with others to offer the COVID-19 Open Research Dataset (CORD-19), an extensive collection of more than 29,000 coronavirus scientific articles available in a machine-readable format that artificial intelligence experts can mine for answers to questions about the virus and the disease it causes.

In this era of fast full-genome sequencing, rapid development, and detailed knowledge of the SARS-CoV-2 structure, we can do better than current pandemic countermeasures that have been practiced for hundreds of years. Bioengineers must come together to bridge this gap between "social engineering" and "basic biological science" by developing powerful and deployable technologies. I look forward to working together as we leverage our ideas and experiences into creative solutions that can help overcome this global crisis. We call on you to bring new insights and innovative technologies to attack this disease and make us all stronger and better prepared for the future.