Office of Global Health Affairs

DHHS Biotechnology Engagement Program (BTEP)

Background:

For nearly 30 years, HHS scientists have been involved in cooperative biomedical research with the former Soviet Union (and now Russia and the N. Eurasia) on polio, influenza, diphtheria, radiation health effects, and more recently, tuberculosis, and other dangerous pathogens such as West Nile encephalitis. These are shared public health challenges that do not respect geographic borders. At the request of sister Departments (State and DOD), HHS has developed a State-Department funded Biotechnology Engagement Program (BTEP) to "engage" Russian and N. Eurasia former biologic weapons scientists in collaborative research on applied high-priority public health problems. Biologic agents, particularly in the hands of terrorists are a mounting concern for public health agencies at Federal, State and local level. HHS views this as a public health problem (not just military) and for which we must exercise leadership.

For this multi-year program initiative, HHS plans to expand on existing cooperation and develop targeted new collaborative research projects with Russian and other N. Eurasia scientific institutes. The Assistant Secretary for Health has established the Biotechnology Engagement Program (BTEP) Advisory Group (USG interagency experts) and this group is now chaired by Dr. Kenneth Bernard. The HHS BTEP supports broad U.S. policy goals of integrating N. Eurasia scientists into the international community; reducing the risk of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction expertise; increasing transparency at former Soviet biological weapons (BW) research sites; and redirecting bio-technology expertise to peaceful research in areas of urgent public health needs in Russia and N. Eurasia.

Program Description:

• OGHA has established a partner agreement with the International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) that allows it to fund and responsibly manage projects in Russia and the NIS.
• HHS experts have participated in strategic workshops and site visits to develop a targeted set of projects focused around high priority public health needs in Russia and the N. Eurasia and has worked with the Ministries of Health to help determine these priorities (TB, Hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, Variola etc.).
• Scientists working for the CDC, NIH, and FDA have worked with Russian and N. Eurasia colleagues to develop proposals under HHS and ISTC guidelines. The first set of projects has been approved for funding and address such topics as TB, Hepatitis, and Plague.
• Support will also be provided for workshops and training on such topics as emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases and grant proposal development to help mainstream otherwise isolated scientists.

Contact Information:
CDR Robert J. Tosatto
BTEP Executive Secretary
Room 18-90 Parklawn Building
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20857
Tel: (301) 443-9426
E-mail: rtosatto@osophs.dhhs.gov

Last Updated: November 17, 2003

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