Good Day BIO: FDA panel calls for Omicron boosters

We have a readout from FDA’s meeting on boosters targeting COVID-19 variants and USDA’s new program to invest in biomanufacturing—plus, we’re celebrating Pride Month. (591 words, 2 minutes, 57 seconds)

FDA panel calls for Omicron-targeting boosters

The FDA’s Vaccine and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) voted 19-2 to recommend a new formulation for COVID-19 boosters that specifically targets the Omicron variant.

The situation: The BA.4 and BA.5 variants are responsible for the majority of new cases, The New York Times reported—and half of Americans have not received a booster, said Dr. Peter Marks, Director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER).

The timeline: FDA envisions a full recommendation this summer and booster rollout this fall, said Dr. Marks. Yesterday’s decision must be confirmed by the FDA and CDC, who have approved all VRBPAC COVID-19 vaccine recommendations thus far.

Do we have updated boosters? Both Pfizer and Moderna have been working on boosters targeting the variants. Pfizer’s CEO said Sunday the shots are ready for use as soon as they are approved; Moderna said a booster targeting BA.4 and BA.5 could be ready in October or November. Novavax is also working on an Omicron-targeting booster. 

Watch a clip from yesterday’s meeting:

More Health Care News:

NBC News: Tens of thousands of monkeypox vaccine doses to be distributed immediately in U.S.
“The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will send 56,000 doses of the Jynneos vaccine immediately to areas with high transmission…Officials expect to make at least 1.6 million doses available by the end of the fall.”

BIO celebrates Pride Month

USDA to invest $10M in biobased production

USDA is seeking to invest $10 million to support development of low-carbon biobased production that increases the use of renewable agricultural materials and creates new revenue streams for farmers, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced yesterday. 

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Bioproduct Pilot Program directs USDA to partner with one or more universities or private sector partners to scale up sustainable bioproduct manufacturing, as part of President Biden’s $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. 

Proposed products and processes should provide at least one of the following: cost savings relative to other commonly used alternative materials, reductions in GHG emissions, improved lifecycle characteristics, landfill quality and waste-management reductions, or other programs of this nature.

How it works:Potential partners are invited to apply by August 31. Accepted applicants will receive a share of funding totaling $5 million each year in 2022 and 2023. 

Why it matters: “This program will help farmers take field residues and waste products and turn them into value-added products that create wealth and drive economic development in rural areas,” said Secretary Vilsack, who announced the program at a farm in Iowa. 

Biotech already produces alternative materials from agriculture products—as just two examples, using plant sugars to produce bio-BDO, a replacement for fossil-fuel based butanediol (BDO), a chemical used to make plastics, fibers, and solvents, or recycling carbon to make more sustainable fashion and beauty products.

Interested in applying?Register for USDA's July 14 webinar for potential applicants, and learn more here.

President Biden’s Wednesday: Meeting with several world leaders during the NATO summit. 

What’s Happening on Capitol Hill: The House Energy & Commerce Committee will hold a hearing on “Investing in Public Health: Legislation to Support Patients Workers and Research.” The Senate is in recess.