In the NewsLinks appear for content that is available online indefinitely. August 16, 2008
F.B.I. will present scientific evidence in anthrax case to counter doubts, By Eric Lichtblau and David Johnston. New York Times.
Dr. Brad Smith comments on the FBI’s announcement that the bureau will release the scientific evidence used to close case on the anthrax attacks of 2001: “That is going to be critically important, because right now there is really no data to make a scientific judgment one way or the other.” July 21, 2008
Restructuring BioShield; Move aims for better organization, as hospitals cooperate on preparedness, by Jessica Zigmond. Modern Healthcare.
Dr. Smith discusses the dual benefits of hospital preparedness: “One of the `good news’ stories about hospital preparedness is that most of the things that a hospital would need to do for a bioterrorist attack or influenza would be relevant for a natural disaster." June 19, 2008
U.S. President's 2009 biodefense budget proposal calls for overall growth, but some cuts. States News Service.
Dr. Brad Smith states, "If the government is going to get the products it says it needs to protect American citizens, the government will need to increase its investment across the board in developing new vaccines and medicines." April 25, 2008
Newsmakers: Biowarrior. Science.
Dr. Brad Smith was interviewed about BARDA and its new director, Robin Robinson, whom Dr. Smith noted has been "very successful" in leading H5N1 flu vaccine development and stockpiling. December 12, 2007
Biosecurity experts describe how Congress can help prepare for bioterrorism attacks, by Molly McElroy. AAAS News.
“Preparation matters. . .All of these things take a long time to put in place,” Dr. Brad Smith said, describing the elements of an effective public health response to bioterrorism and noting the lack of sufficient funding and a cumbersome contracts process for medical countermeasure development. December 4, 2007
Is nation prepared for biological attacks, epidemics?, by Morgan Ashenfelter. The Jamestown Sun. (North Dakota)
Dr. Brad Smith comments, “Government officials get sticker shock when they learn how much money and how long it takes to develop a drug.” November 28, 2007
Low investment, fear of failure hindering bioterror advances, by Daniel Fowler. Congressional Quarterly, Homeland Security.
Dr. Brad Smith is quoted regarding the lack of federal investment in developing biodefense drugs and vaccines: “Drug development is a very risky endeavor and there are no guarantees [that a drug will make it to market.]” July 12, 2007
A&M loses bid to house federal biodefense lab: University suspects disease-exposure cases played role in decision, by Emily Ramshaw. Dallas Morning News.
Dr. Brad Smith comments on whether biosafety infractions could hinder future funding opportunities for a research institution: "Most of these grants still go to individual scientists, to individual investigators. . . It's hard to say whether being affiliated with university X or university Y would influence it." April 15, 2007
New role to coordinate in public-health crises: some say position will speed up response; critics say it probably won't make a difference, by Mary Shaffrey. Winston-Salem Journal.
Dr. Brad Smith comments "The intention of this position was . . . to reinforce the idea that there should be one person in the federal government who is responsible for medical and bio-defense (decisions) in public-health emergencies." March 2007
Amid anthrax vaccine debacle, BARDA amends biodefense efforts, by Jeffrey L. Fox. Microbe.
Dr. Brad Smith is interviewed about the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority legislation: "BARDA is not a silver bullet [but] if it had not passed, it would have been a really negative signal to industry, which would have been even less excited about this market." February 14, 2007
Bioterror vaccine production: take 2, by Mike Mitka. JAMA Medical News and Perspectives. Volume 297, Number 6.
Dr. Brad Smith comments on shortcomings of the first BioShield legislation: "Companies had to raise the funds themselves, so you had the private capital markets making strategic investment decisions that could be at odds with what the government wanted." January 15, 2007
New bioterror legislation is meant to encourage drug development, by Alex Lash. The Deal.
In an interview about BioShield legislation and its impact on engaging drug manufacturers in countermeasure development, Dr. Brad Smith notes "It's not a miracle cure . . . But investors have not looked favorably on biodefense as a sector to be in. This [bill] shows [that] Congress and the administration both want to take the next step forward." | 
