Survey: bio defenses need improvement.

A recent survey of public and private leadership views of the state of America's defenses against biological attack showed deep-seated doubts, inadequacies and shortfalls. The center for biosecurity at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center polled 30 academic, industry and government leaders for answers on a number of questions, including the development of vaccines against biological attack.

While most interviewees agreed that there have been improvements since 2001, they also asserted that there are gaps in the detection and defense against manmade and natural epidemics. The general consensus was that the entire vaccine industry needed to be revolutionized in order to adequately respond to the threat, and that health professionals have few tools to help clinical testing for dangerous pathogens.

The report is a confirmation of oft-heard comments, but what is truly enlightening is the unattributed quotes sprinkled throughout the pages--observations from industry and government experts that illustrate the state of anti-bioterrorism initiatives.

"Rapid development of new drugs is a key technology we don't have," said one. "It's up to the government to sponsor interactions between the different industries and assemble the units like a jigsaw puzzle into a complete entity that can deal with everything," said another.

The study participants gave a lukewarm review of "Bioshield," a procurement program designed to promote the development of therapeutic drugs against likely bioterror agents. The lack of a bioterror market is often cited to explain the small number of new drugs being produced. The study participants viewed Bioshield only as a first, small step.

A comment that clearly came from an industry participant, noted: "Bioshield has no impact on us as an industry ... What would drive me to put a team on antibiotics when my commercial people are saying, 'don't do it, there is no return on investment on it.'"

Large contracts, however, are being signed. For example, in November the U.S. government announced the purchase of 75 million doses of a new-generation anthrax vaccine under a five-year, $877.5 million contract with VaxGen Inc. The company expects to begin delivery of the doses, enough to treat 25 million people, by 2006. VaxGen receives no payment until the vaccine is delivered, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.

The study also noted that such weapons would likely be designed to counter a target nation's responses. "Why would anyone use anthrax to attack a civilian population and not make it antibiotic resistant?" asked one participant.

Others questioned the wisdom of entering into a deal with the government unless a waiver against liability were available, since the product would only be tested in true conditions during a crisis, with unpredictable effects.