MRC Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Medical Countermeasures R&D

Funding to develop and test novel therapeutics, medical devices, diagnostics and other interventions across any stage of the developmental pathway for CBRN threats.

The Medical Research Council (MRC) has launched this opportunity to develop and test novel therapeutics, medical devices, diagnostics and other interventions across any stage of the developmental pathway, from prototype development, through pre-clinical refinement, to early-phase clinical studies (up to phase 2a) of medical countermeasures (MCMs) for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) threats.

Projects must generate evidence that contributes to improving domestic preparedness for CBRN incidents, particularly improving the health system’s preparedness. Examples include:

• The development of novel vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics for CBRN threats.
• Broad-spectrum interventions for CBRN exposure.
• Symptomatic management approaches to treat CBRN exposure.
• Medicines repurposing studies, using existing therapies for the treatment of CBRN threats.

Priority areas for research are:

• Broad spectrum MCMs for threats that focus on treating shared symptomology or toxidrome.
• Drug repurposing studies to identify and evaluate suitable licensed drugs that may be held locally within hospitals and pharmacies.
• Novel vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics for priority pathogens.
• Diagnostic and detection capabilities for radiological and nuclear incidents.

Applicants are encouraged to work with UK industry partners where these partnerships can add value to the project, although collaboration is not a prerequisite for application. Collaborators may add value by giving access to expertise, technologies, reagents and funding.

Projects should last up to 30 months.