First Grand Challenge for Biotechnology awards $1M for research proposal

The first of the Air Force Research Laboratory’s three Biotechnology Grand Challengeswas awarded Aug. 14 to Debut Biotechnology Inc. for its proposal on biosynthesis ofmonomersfor aerospace thermosets.

“The Debut Biotechnology Inc. proposal provides a path to a scalable, bio- and metal-free synthesis of key aerospace polymer precursors, eliminating the reliance on precious metal catalysts and corrosive reagents,” said Dr. Davide Simone, AFRL’s technology advisor for biosynthesis of monomers for aerospace thermosets and senior research chemist. “Expected benefits for the Air Force include a significant savings in composite aerospace structural material costs and the elimination of oxidation promoting metal catalysts from structural components, extending service lifetimes.”

Debut Biotechnology Inc. participated in twophases of initial evaluation – a review of theirwhite paperandthen at a virtual pitch day prior to being awarded.

“White papers were submitted via the National SecurityInnovationNetworkwebsite, and the review team worked with NSIN and the Wright Brother’s Institute to select three teams to present at a virtual pitch day in July,” said Dr. JillMcQuade, AFRL’s co-biotechnology program manager. “Following the pitches, the review team performed an additional review, discussed and then selected an awardee.”

The review teamincluded Dr. Claretta Sullivan, AFRL’s co-biotechnology program manager; Bob Lee, WBI’s project manager; and Sean Mahoney, AFRL’s chief intrapreneur and the NSIN liaison with ties to AFRL’s Small Business office.

The final selection was approved by the AFRL Biotechnology Community of Practice leadership, and the monetary award camefrom the Small Business Office Innovation Pipeline funds, said McQuade.

AFRL announced its three Biotechnology Grand Challenges in April in efforts to spearheadinnovationamong small businesses for the specific needs of the Department of Defense.

The challenges, which were chosen byAFRL’s team of biotechnology experts, seek advancements in the following: biosynthesis of monomers for aerospace thermosets, biosynthesis of high-density endothermic fuels and human performance-enhancing probiotics.

“When AFRL’s team decided onthese challenges, wewere looking forways to make big strides quickly in the area of biotechnology,” said McQuade. “Biotechnology is one of AFRL’s big bets and is also one of the twelve Office of the Secretary of Defense’s modernization priority area.”

McQuade explained that the AFRL Small Business office put forth $3 million to fund this initiative, which is being divided equally across the challenges. Participants compete in two phases of initial evaluation: a white paper proposal followed by apresentation at a PitchDay.

The first of three pitch days was held in July, with the following two planned inAugust and September for the remaining challenges.

Not only will these challenges expedite innovation, but they help small businesses by narrowing down specific needs, McQuade explained. “These challenges canshowthebroaderscience and technologycommunity as well as the research and development community howbiotechnology can successfully be used as a tool to develop innovative solutions to current hard problems.”

For more information about the three Biotechnology Grand Challenges, visit https://innovatedefense.net/ dod/afrl-challenge-1.