HHS announces $1.5 billion in awards to partners to develop 'next generation COVID-19 vaccines'

The Health and Human Services Department and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority on Tuesday announced nearly $1.5 billion initiative through Project NextGen for its partners to develop the "next generation" of COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics.

Several new COVID-19 variants have emerged and HHS officials said the department is closely monitoring the situation as the vaccines are developed.

According to HHS, COVID cases are spiking, which is expected to continue heading into the fall.

The recipients include $1 billion to ICON Government and Public Health Solutions, Inc of Hinckley, Ohio; Pharm-Olam, LLC, of Houston, Texas; Technical Resources Intl (TRI), Inc, of Bethesda, Maryland; and Rho Federal Systems, Inc., Durham, North Carolina and $326 million to Regeneron to "support the development of a next-generation monoclonal antibody for COVID-19 prevention." Global Health Investment Corp. (GHIC) will receive $100 million and $10 million will go to Johnson & Johnson Innovation (JLABS).

HHS and BARDA officials expect to announce more grants for COVID vaccine development in the future.