Wright Brothers Institute designed a series of challenges seeking solutions in the field of synthetic biology. (Courtesy illustration)
Written by: Laura Dempsey
Wright Brothers Institute was enlisted by the Air Force Research Laboratory’s 711th Human Performance Wing to execute three nationwide challenges seeking solutions to complicated concerns in the field of synthetic biology. The first challenge has just been completed, with an award of $1 million going to Debut Biotechnology Inc. of San Diego, California.
The challenges were announced in April as an innovative method for finding solutions to specific Department of Defense needs. WBI designed the challenges to make it easier for small businesses to participate in DoD efforts, requiring only the submission of a simple white paper to put forth their ideas.
“Getting to the right connection inside the Air Force is a huge barrier for non-traditional companies,” said Bob Lee, Open Innovation Manager at WBI. “The Biotechnology Grand Challenges provide a secure, rapid pathway for the Air Force Research Laboratory to understand novel concepts quickly. Likewise, companies new to Air Force business processes can use fewer resources to introduce themselves, via a white paper. The National Security Innovation Network website provided a secure submission process, giving the all parties the assurance that information was protected. Because the down-select process was done hand-in-hand with the technical experts at AFRL, the pitch process was much smoother, with everyone speaking the same language.”
For challenge winner Debut Technology, the challenge method of soliciting Air Force partners was a win-win.
Dr. Joshua Britton, Debut’s CEO, said, "Debut really enjoyed this challenge, as it was a quick and straightforward process. Get the plan in and defend it. The money came in surprisingly fast after we won and we've been able to jump right into the project. It was much shorter than the traditional grant process, and much more effective in my opinion."
The first challenge asked for advancements in the biosynthesis of monomers for aerospace thermosets, which are critical for building advanced composites in today’s modern aircraft. The second challenge focused on biosynthesis of high-density endothermic fuels with a winner to be announced any day; the third, now under way, will feature human performance-enhancing probiotics.
AFRL’s Small Business office pledged $3 million for the set of challenges, $1 million for each. For each challenge, white papers are solicited and submitted using the National Security Innovation Network website. The team evaluating the first challenge’s white papers comprised Bob Lee, WBI’s project manager, Dr. Claretta Sullivan, AFRL’s co-biotechnology program manager; and Sean Mahoney, AFRL’s chief intrapreneur and the NSIN liaison with ties to AFRL’s Small Business office.
Following the review, three teams were selected to participate in a virtual pitch day in July: Debut Biotechnology Inc. was deemed the winner by the review team after the pitches were evaluated. White papers have been received and reviewed for the second challenge with the pitch day coming soon. The third challenge is set for September.
The challenges have been designed in part to address several areas targeted for modernization by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, while fulfilling an action item from the Air Force’s 2030 Science and Technology Strategy. In that document, the Air Force was directed to “increase focus on and strengthen relationships with other government laboratories, universities, industry, and allies.
“The driving pace of technology and competition for leading-edge talent demands the Air Force leverage partnerships to ensure agile pursuit of the most impactful research …. The Air Force will strengthen partnerships to increase technology transition through (for example): Expand(ing) nontraditional contracting to access and leverage commercially-driven innovation in private sector companies relevant to the Air Force mission.”
“The Science and Technology Strategy is all about connecting to new companies with novel ideas,” said Lee. “WBI Challenges are great way to introduce new tech providers to the Air Force and open the door to novel, game-changing capabilities.”
Dr. Jill McQuade, AFRL’s co-biotechnology program manager, sees these challenges as an aid to small businesses, narrowing the Department of Defense’s specific needs so white papers and pitches can be tailored accordingly.
She believes the challenges shed light on the promise synthetic biology holds for the entire DoD stage. “These challenges can show the broader science and technology community as well as the research and development community how biotechnology can successfully be used as a tool to develop innovative solutions to current hard problems.”