TechWatch
BARDA developed the TechWatch program as an opportunity for external organizations to meet with the Federal Government to discuss their new and innovative medical countermeasure technologies. These meetings are intended to provide the Government with the latest information about emerging technologies and tools that may guide its strategic and programmatic planning for effective public health emergency response. In turn, the meetings give organizations the chance to receive guidance from BARDA scientific and contracting staff on possible next steps in the development of their countermeasure products and how they may work with the Government as part of this process or apply for federal funding.
TechWatch meetings organized by BARDA are attended by scientific subject matter experts as well as project management and contracting staff. Members of the TechWatch audience typically have multiple years of industry experience in product development and manufacturing. They can evaluate products/technologies, suggest techniques and strategies for meeting technical and regulatory challenges, provide insight on how a product or technology may address BARDA's objectives, and provide general information about BARDA's mission and programs.
The content and style of the meeting is ultimately up to the presenter. However, it is typically a scientific seminar-style presentation with appropriate background information (both on the organization and science), critical data justifying the stage of maturity of the product/technology, description of metrics that describe its utility to BARDA's mission (e.g. cost, stability, and clinical administration) and a comparison with other products/technologies and advantages conferred. Meetings are typically one (1) hour long including time for questions/answers.
