BARDA
Also known as: Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority
US federal agency that funds advanced development of medical countermeasures against biological, chemical, nuclear, and pandemic threats. A major non-dilutive funding source for HealthTech companies at Seed+ and Series A stage.
Full Definition
BARDA — the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority — is a US federal agency within the Department of Health and Human Services. It funds the advanced development and procurement of medical countermeasures (MCMs) against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats, pandemic influenza, and emerging infectious diseases.
Within the GAITS Funding Readiness Framework, BARDA is most relevant at the Seed+ and Series A levels, primarily for HealthTech companies with a product that has strategic national security or public health preparedness value. BARDA contracts are non-dilutive and can be very large — often $10M to $100M+ for advanced development — but competition is highly selective and the application process is resource-intensive. BARDA is largely inaccessible to pure Digital Medicine companies.
BARDA operates through several mechanisms: Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreements, contracts, and its DRIVe (Division of Research, Innovation, and Ventures) programme which supports earlier-stage innovators. Teams targeting BARDA funding should understand that the agency evaluates both the product and the company's ability to scale manufacturing and deliver at volume.
A medical device company has developed a novel portable ventilator suitable for mass casualty events. After completing SBIR Phase II and securing 510(k) clearance, they approach BARDA through its pandemic preparedness programme to fund a manufacturing scale-up and strategic stockpile contract. The award is non-dilutive, covers advanced development costs, and includes a procurement commitment — replacing the need for a large dilutive Series A for this company at this stage.