Notice Number: NOT-HL-16-307

Key Dates
Release Date: February 17, 2016

Issued by
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Purpose

NHLBI is issuing this Notice to highlight its interest in research to evaluate the risk of and clinical impact of potential transmission of the Zika virus by transfusion. Such research interests include but are not limited to:

• Characterization of the prevalence of the virus among blood donors in different geographical regions
• Quantitation and dynamics of the evolution of viremia in blood donors
• Transmissibility studies in relevant animal models
• Dynamics of viremia in recipients post transfusion
• Development of Zika screening and confirmatory assays
• Transfusion-transmission studies
• Evaluations of potential strategies to reduce or prevent Zika transmission by blood transfusion

Possible funding opportunities that can be used to pursue these research activities include:

PA-13-302, Research Project Grant (Parent R01)

PA-15-269, PHS 2015-02 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH, CDC, FDA, and ACF for Small Business Innovation Research Grant Applications (Parent SBIR)

PA-15-270, PHS 2015-02 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH for Small Business Technology Transfer Grant Applications (Parent STTR [R41/R42])

PAR-13-026, Selected Topics in Transfusion Medicine (R01)

PAR-13-027, Selected Topics in Transfusion Medicine (R21)

Investigators interested in developing applications for Zika virus-related blood supply safety and transfusion research are strongly encouraged to discuss their ideas with the NHLBI contacts listed below.

Inquiries

Please direct all inquiries to:

Division of Blood Diseases and Resources
Simone Glynn, M.D., M.P.H.
Telephone: 301-435-0065
Email: glynnsa@nhlbi.nih.gov

Small Business Coordinator
Jennifer Shieh, Ph.D.
Telephone: 301-496-2149
Email: nhlbi_sbir@mail.nih.gov