Rho, a privately held contract research organization, is one of five CROs chosen for a federal contract focusing on medical countermeasures to public health threats such as bioterrorism.
Rho could receive as much as $100 million over the life of a five-year contract.
The contract with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is worth at least $400,000 over the first two years.
“We are honored to have Rho’s Federal Systems Division selected by HHS to be a part of this clinical studies network,” said Russ Helms, Ph.D., chief executive officer at Rho. “This appointment reflects our team’s expertise and leadership in this field of research.”
Research will be done in drugs, vaccines and diagnostic tests that could help deal with a public health crisis involving bioterrorism, pandemic influenza and other emergencies, the company said.
Rho will work with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), which is part of the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR).
The five selected CROs will be part of a Clinical Studies Network.
Its tasks include:
- Clinical Study Services : Projects will require full-service capabilities to execute clinical trials evaluating Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN), Pandemic Influenza (PI) and/or Emerging Infectious Disease (EID) medical countermeasures. These studies may be Phase 1, 2, 3, or 4 or combinations of these Phases.
- Clinical Trial Response Readiness : Projects will address preparedness and response activities in advance of a public health emergency and may require the development and implementation of a detailed plan to permit the initiation of a clinical study within a predefined timeframe. Studies may include healthy adults, pediatric, elderly and other populations with special medical requirements.
