Biodefense and Emerging Infections (BEI) Resources was established by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to acquire, authenticate, and produce reagents for scientists to carry out basic research and develop improved diagnostic tests, vaccines, and therapies as tools against potential agents of bioterrorism or organisms that cause emerging diseases such as SARS, West Nile Virus, and Lyme Disease.
Viral Antigens (VAI)’s expertise is in the areas of process development and manufacturing of research biologicals and biopharmaceuticals. VAI is providing contract services to BEI Resources to manufacture certain research biologicals that will be used by the research community to develop new and improved diagnostic tests, vaccines, and therapies.
“Through our collaboration with BEI, and other government agencies that are working to combat bioterrorism, our capabilities are now being employed to help researchers working in biodefense,” Richard Eberly, general manager of Meridian Life Science, commented. “We are optimistic that our work with BEI will yield quality research materials for the scientific community that will result in promising diagnostics and therapeutics.”