Executive Summary
DTRA wants prototype nanotechnology-based medical countermeasures that protect warfighters against multiple viral threats, before and after exposure. It suits biotech and nanomedicine teams with broad-spectrum antiviral platforms. Responses are due November 11, 2026, 3:00 PM CST, through the GoColosseum marketplace.
The listing emphasizes breadth plus a path to transition. DTRA asks for activity against at least five viruses in vitro and one in vivo, ruggedized multi-route formulations, and a scalable manufacturing process with a defined route to FDA licensure, so proposals should show evidence and a plan across all three.
Solicitation at a Glance
- Agency: Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), R&D Chemical and Biological Technologies Directorate, Medical Division, supporting the Joint Science and Technology Office (JSTO) with CPE-CBRND
- Opportunity: Nanotechnology Orchestrated Viral Annihilation (NOVA)
- Where it is posted: One Nation Innovation challenge on the GoColosseum marketplace
- Award Vehicle: Prototype effort; the public listing does not name the contract vehicle
- Funding: No amount posted on the public listing
- Technology Maturity: Prototype through nonclinical in vivo demonstration, with manufacturing to support Phase 1 clinical trials
- Window: October 21, 2026, 7:35 AM CDT to November 11, 2026, 3:00 PM CST
Think your company qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before the November 11 deadline.
What Is NOVA?
NOVA is a DTRA prototype challenge for nanotechnology-based medical countermeasures against viral threats to the warfighter, in both pre- and post-exposure scenarios. It is run by the Medical Division of DTRA's R&D Chemical and Biological Technologies Directorate, in support of JSTO and in collaboration with CPE-CBRND, and is posted as a One Nation Innovation challenge on GoColosseum.
What Problem Is DTRA Trying to Solve?
Medical countermeasures are usually developed one to one: a single countermeasure per virus, each tuned to a specific immune response or enzyme. DTRA says this specialization slows responsiveness, lengthens lead times and limits the Government's ability to protect forces against multiple, emerging or unknown viral threats at once. It sees nanotechnology as a "bottom-up" alternative: broad-spectrum, biocompatible, biodegradable, multifunctional and easily deployable countermeasures that can also mitigate the fallout of preexisting infection.
Priority Lines of Effort: What DTRA Is Looking For
- LOE 1, broad-spectrum antiviral prototype: a nanotechnology prototype functionalized through cellular membrane modifications, with in vitro activity against at least five different viruses and in vivo activity against at least one virus in a relevant nonclinical model. DTRA also wants validation of the prototype as a cellular decoy that intercepts viral threats, an assessment of its ability to act as a cytokine sponge, and documented efficacy and safety outcomes for go/no-go decisions.
- LOE 2, ruggedized multi-route formulations: formulations for administration by multiple routes, ruggedized presentations such as dried and heat-stable forms, stability testing under operationally relevant storage and transport conditions, retained antiviral activity against defined success criteria, and feedback from Government end users on deployability.
- LOE 3, scalable manufacturing and regulatory pathway: a manufacturing process that can support production through Phase 1 clinical trials, consistency and reproducibility across lots, a regulatory strategy and pathway to licensure including anticipated FDA engagement, a risk and mitigation assessment, and recommendations for follow-on clinical development.
Funding and Award Terms
- Amount: not posted on the public listing.
- Vehicle: the listing describes a prototype effort but does not name the contract vehicle.
- Number of awards: not stated on the public listing.
- Transition intent: results are meant to inform go/no-go and future transition decisions, and LOE 3 asks for recommendations on follow-on clinical development, production or refinement.
Eligibility and Participation
- Marketplace account: you must join the GoColosseum marketplace to apply.
- Eligibility rules: the public listing does not show eligibility requirements. Check for eligibility requirements after joining the marketplace.
How to Apply
- Join the GoColosseum marketplace and open the NOVA challenge.
- Review the challenge details and any response instructions shown after joining.
- Map your data and plans to each of the three lines of effort.
- Submit before November 11, 2026, 3:00 PM CST.
What Happens After You Submit?
- Evaluation: the public listing does not give an evaluation schedule or criteria.
- Prototype work: selected teams would develop and demonstrate the prototype, with efficacy, safety, formulation and manufacturing results documented to inform go/no-go and transition decisions.
Is This Opportunity a Good Fit for Your Company?
It fits companies with a nanoparticle or membrane-based antiviral platform that already shows activity across several viruses, especially decoy or cytokine-sponge approaches, and teams with formulation, stability and CMC experience. A single-virus therapeutic, or a concept with no in vitro data and no plan for manufacturing or FDA engagement, is a weaker fit.
How BW&CO Can Help
BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For DTRA prototype challenges like NOVA, we help you:
- Assess fit: compare your data against the five-virus in vitro and in vivo targets.
- Find partners: line up formulation, animal model and manufacturing partners.
- Write the response: a clear plan across all three lines of effort.
- Navigate the marketplace: account setup and submission.
- Plan the follow-on: position for clinical development and transition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is running NOVA?
DTRA's R&D Chemical and Biological Technologies Directorate, Medical Division, in support of JSTO and in collaboration with CPE-CBRND, through a One Nation Innovation challenge on GoColosseum.
When is it due?
November 11, 2026, 3:00 PM CST.
How much funding is available?
The public listing does not show a dollar amount or the number of awards.
What contract vehicle will be used?
The listing describes a prototype effort but does not name the contract vehicle.
How many viruses does the prototype need to work against?
LOE 1 calls for in vitro activity against at least five different viruses and in vivo activity against at least one virus in a relevant nonclinical model.
Does the countermeasure need to work after exposure?
Yes. DTRA is seeking countermeasures for both pre- and post-exposure scenarios, and wants the prototype assessed as a cytokine sponge to mitigate inflammatory fallout from preexisting infection.
What formulation work is expected?
LOE 2 asks for formulations for multiple administration routes, ruggedized presentations such as dried and heat-stable forms, and stability testing under operationally relevant storage and transport conditions.
Do I need a regulatory plan?
Yes. LOE 3 asks for a regulatory strategy and pathway to licensure, including anticipated FDA engagement, and a manufacturing process that can support production through Phase 1 clinical trials.
Can BW&CO help with a NOVA submission?
Yes. BW&CO helps teams assess fit, line up partners and write a response that covers all three lines of effort. Book a call with our team.
Source: GoColosseum: Nanotechnology Orchestrated Viral Annihilation (NOVA)