Viral
Viral capability integrates rapid molecular and antigen diagnostics, genomic sequencing, viral culture, vaccine and antiviral development, and biosurveillance. In military settings it enables early outbreak detection, force health protection, accelerated countermeasure transition, and maintenance of readiness during delayed evacuation and austere operations.
Technical Challenges
Rapid identification and characterization of novel or highly mutated viral agents in far-forward conditions.
Differentiating active infection from prior exposure or vaccination (viral load vs serology) in polytrauma or immunomodulated patients.
Limited point-of-care assays that combine sensitivity, genomic breadth, and resistance profiling for antivirals.
Cold-chain, stability, and delivery constraints for vaccines, monoclonals, and biologics in austere environments.
Emerging Opportunities
Field-deployable sequencing and real-time genomic surveillance with low-power workflows.
Heat-stable, shelf-stable vaccines and therapeutics tailored for prolonged field care and delayed evacuation.
Integrated diagnostics that function with hemorrhage, polytrauma, co-infection, and antimicrobial resistance complications.
Faster pathways for transitioning validated viral countermeasures from lab to operational use under DoD timelines.
Current and Emerging Technologies in Viral
Point-of-care molecular and antigen diagnostics
Rapid PCR/RT-PCR, isothermal amplification (LAMP), and ultrasensitive antigen platforms enable near-patient detection to guide isolation and treatment in forward medical echelons.
Next-generation sequencing & genomic surveillance
Portable sequencers and cloud-enabled pipelines support variant detection, transmission mapping, and antiviral resistance monitoring critical for outbreak management.
mRNA, viral-vector and protein-subunit vaccines
Rapid-design vaccine platforms accelerate countermeasure generation; efforts focus on thermostability, dose-sparing, and rapid manufacturing for surge capacity.
Broad-spectrum antivirals and monoclonal antibodies
Host-targeted therapies, small-molecule antivirals and engineered monoclonals provide treatment options when diagnostics lag or for novel agents with unknown susceptibilities.
Biosensors, wearables and environmental surveillance
Continuous physiological and environmental monitoring, airborne and wastewater surveillance enable early warning systems that preserve force readiness and inform public health responses.
AI-enabled analytics and rapid regulatory frameworks
Machine learning for signal detection, triage, and variant impact prediction, combined with adaptive clinical trial and regulatory approaches, speeds field translation.
Importance to Military Medicine
Protect force readiness
Early detection and rapid countermeasures prevent outbreaks that degrade unit readiness and operational capability.
Enable prolonged and austere care
Thermostable vaccines, portable diagnostics, and field-suitable therapeutics are essential when evacuation is delayed or resources are limited.
Support combat casualty management
Viral co-infections and infection control issues complicate polytrauma care; fast diagnostics and targeted antivirals reduce morbidity and secondary complications.
Inform operational decision-making
Real-time surveillance data guide force protection, movement, and mission planning in dynamic biological threat environments.
Alignment with the MTEC Mission
Accelerates transition of viral diagnostics and countermeasures from prototype to operational use to shorten DoD timelines for fielding.
Supports DoD priorities for biosurveillance, force health protection, and resilience against emerging biological threats.
Enables dual-use outcomes that benefit civilian public health while meeting military operational requirements.
Dual-Use (Military + Civilian) Applications
Dual-use diagnostics reduce civilian outbreak impact while maintaining deployable capabilities for military operations.
Thermostable vaccines and scalable manufacturing support surge response for both humanitarian crises and combat-deployed forces.
Shared surveillance platforms and analytics inform public health and military command-and-control decision-making.
Platform technologies (mRNA, rapid assays, AI analytics) are adaptable for civilian therapeutics and commercial diagnostics.
Explore MTEC Members with Viral Capabilities
MTEC members bring multidisciplinary strengths—clinical virology, translational R&D, manufacturing scale-up, regulatory expertise, and field-validation networks—that accelerate operational impact. Explore member profiles to find collaborators with sequencing pipelines, vaccine platforms, point-of-care integration, and biosurveillance experience to address military and dual-use viral challenges.
149 Members with Viral capabilities.
The University of Texas System is a leading public university system in the United States, dedicated to improving lives through education, health care, and research. With over 256,000 students enrolled across 14 institutions, the UT System is committed to providing affordable access to higher education and producing a skilled workforce to drive Texas's economy.
IQVIA is a global leader in advanced analytics, technology solutions, and clinical research services for the life sciences industry. With a mission to accelerate innovation for a healthier world and a vision to power smarter healthcare for everyone, everywhere, IQVIA leverages unparalleled data, transformative technology, and deep healthcare expertise to drive better patient outcomes. Operating in over 100 countries with approximately 88,000 employees, IQVIA supports pharmaceutical, biotech, medtech, public health, and government organizations with a comprehensive portfolio of services and solutions. The company is recognized for its Connected Intelligence™, healthcare-grade AI, and commitment to sustainability, innovation, and evidence-based insights that shape the future of healthcare globally. IQVIA is also dedicated to reducing health inequities and driving sustainable change through innovation, collaboration, and data-driven solutions, partnering with organizations worldwide to address complex healthcare challenges.
Georgia Southern University is a vibrant institution with over 26,100 students across three campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, and Hinesville. The university offers 132 degree programs at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate levels, emphasizing student success, community impact, and research excellence. With a commitment to inclusivity and engagement, Georgia Southern fosters a supportive environment for diverse learners, including military-affiliated and adult students. The university is dedicated to transforming lives through education and community engagement, aligning its programs with regional needs. Additionally, Georgia Southern provides accelerated pathways for students to fast-track their master's degrees, enhancing educational opportunities. The university also emphasizes career readiness and public impact research, preparing students for successful careers and contributing to community development.
FiteBac Technology/FiteBac Pharma's K21 uniquely targets the underlying disease state, given that most diseases involve microbial-associated inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction. FiteBac Technology innovations stem from the work of numerous international academic research scientists. FiteBac Pharma K21 is the blockbuster antimicrobial small molecule designed to modulate biological, immunological, and metabolic systems for treating a wide range of infectious and inflammatory diseases. This patented drug substance has demonstrated the ability to safely eliminate bacterial, fungal, and viral infections, enhance innate immunity, induce mitophagy while improving mitochondrial and cellular metabolism, accelerate wound healing, and even promote the development of zebrafish and chickens, leading to increased adult mass. Rigorous research from Dr. Bhupesh Prusty's laboratory and Dr Christopher Rongo's laboratory is focused on various aspects of mitochondrial remodeling and reprograming, as well as mitochondrial-to-nuclear signaling with K21.
STAT Therapeutics is focused on developing a drug- device combination for easy, rapid administration of intramuscular, life-saving medications by users in any setting, aiming to improve access and usability for acute emergency treatments such as pain, anaphylaxis, and seizures.
The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research, teaching, and community engagement. As a premier public research university, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a catalyst for socioeconomic development, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.
Auburn University Research & Economic Development is dedicated to advancing research and economic growth through a collaborative effort among its various colleges and departments. The organization focuses on fostering innovation, supporting faculty and student research, and facilitating partnerships with industry and government to address societal challenges and enhance the quality of life. Recent initiatives include the launch of the Team Science Series to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and the development of the Gulf Coast Engineering Research Station to address coastal environmental challenges.
Seek Labs is a biotechnology company headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, dedicated to advancing scientific discovery and delivering universal healthcare solutions. The company specializes in next-generation point-of-care molecular diagnostics and programmable CRISPR-based therapeutics, aiming to bridge the gap between disease outbreak and intervention. Powered by its proprietary AI discovery engine, BioSeeker™, Seek Labs is building a modular, full-stack system that enables rapid response to emerging pathogens, scalable precision treatments, and accessible diagnostics. The company is committed to global health innovation, sustainability, and community engagement, and is a proud member of Utah's BioHive life sciences ecosystem. Seek Labs' mission is to empower individuals with healthcare solutions tailored to their specific needs, revolutionizing the detection and treatment of diseases for both human and animal health.
The Institute for Integrative & Innovative Research (I3R) at the University of Arkansas is dedicated to pioneering solutions to complex societal challenges through convergence research. With a mission to advance research excellence and stimulate economic development, I3R focuses on deploying innovations at scale through collaboration across various sectors, including academia, industry, and government.
UTMB is dedicated to supporting research, education, and scholarly endeavors, with a focus on creating the future of healthcare through innovative research and community engagement.
Advanced BioScience Laboratories, Inc. (ABL) is a global biomedical contract research and manufacturing organization dedicated to advancing vaccines, therapeutics, and other biologic products. ABL leverages its expertise in product development, GMP manufacturing, and immunological testing to support the development of candidate vaccines and therapeutics through preclinical and clinical stages. The company is involved in producing and testing oncolytic viruses, gene therapies, immunotherapies, viral vaccines, and recombinant protein vaccines.
The University of Queensland (UQ) is one of Australia's leading research and teaching institutions, dedicated to transforming lives through education and research. UQ aims to create a better future by equipping students with the skills and knowledge necessary for their chosen careers, while also addressing some of the world's most complex challenges through innovative research.
The University of Chicago is a prestigious urban research university committed to rigorous inquiry and intellectual freedom. Founded in 1890, it has produced numerous Nobel laureates and is known for its transformative education and groundbreaking research across various fields. The university fosters an inclusive and diverse learning environment, encouraging participation from all community members.
Boston University is a major research institution committed to leading breakthroughs across various disciplines. The Office of Research supports and advances research excellence, fostering collaboration among researchers, industry partners, and government leaders to address significant societal challenges.
Baylor University is a preeminent Christian research university committed to addressing the world's most meaningful challenges through top-tier research and scholarship. Recognized as an R1 research institution, Baylor focuses on infusing its distinct Christian mission into its research initiatives, fostering a commitment to excellence and innovation.
Founded in 2016, Maxwell Biosciences is a preclinical stage biotechnology company focused on developing innovative therapeutics targeting viruses, bacteria, fungi, and biofilm formations. Utilizing a unique drug-discovery platform, the company aims to create affordable and effective health solutions to combat infectious diseases and enhance healthspan.
Arizona State University
ASU Crosscutting Technologies to Enhance Military Medical Readiness and Resilience
Dr. Rachel Cassalia leads MTEC-supported efforts at ASU to shift military health from reactive care to proactive readiness through data-driven prevention.
University of Pittsburgh
Topical Metformin Lotion for Tendinopathy Prevention
University of Pittsburgh study shows topical metformin prevents overuse tendon injury. This work was sponsored through MTEC project 22-02-MPAI-014.
Theradaptive
Theradaptive’s RESTORE Trial Initiation for OsteoAdapt™ DE
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Altec
Autonomous Rehabilitation Device for Improved Recovery in Warfighters
The OSCIR platform—developed by Altec Inc in collaboration with the Naval Health Research Center—is bringing clinical-grade, real-time movement analysis to the front lines. Funded under MTEC-22-02-MPAI