Operation Warp Speed (OWS) was a groundbreaking public-private partnership that accelerated the development of COVID-19 vaccines, setting a model for how the U.S. government can drive innovation in critical technologies. 1Day Sooner’s recently released memo, “Building on the Success of Operation Warp Speed,” explores how OWS principles can be applied beyond emergencies, particularly in biomedical innovation.
Key Insights
Project NextGen: A Flawed Successor?
The Biden Administration’s Project NextGen, a $5 billion initiative to support next-generation COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, was intended as an OWS successor. However, unlike OWS, it lacked clear leadership, a time-bound goal, and coordination across agencies such as the FDA and the Department of Defense (DoD).
To build a true OWS 2.0, we recommend narrowing scope, funding real world evidence and transparency, recruiting private-sector leadership, and adopting OWS-style “pull funding”—where government funds are tied to successful product delivery, among other recommendations.
Applying OWS Principles to Future Challenges
In addition to exploring the infrastructure that made it a success, the memo proposes that the OWS methodology can accelerate solutions for pressing issues beyond COVID-19. Potential candidates for an “OWS 2.0” approach include:
- Indoor air quality improvements to reduce airborne disease transmission
- Hepatitis C elimination
- Opioid addiction
- Cancer vaccines and dual-purpose immunotherapies
- Cell and gene therapies for rare diseases
- Alzheimer’s and brain health
- Antimicrobial resistance
The lessons of OWS can apply if aimed at appropriate targets where (1) technical and scientific uncertainty is limited and (2) government can stick tightly to the few areas it has a comparative advantage and otherwise empower the private sector to do the heavy lifting. Use cases will often be technologies (such as in the space or healthcare industries) where regulatory efficiency and clarity are crucial and where the government will be a major purchaser. Application of OWS lessons allows appropriate deregulation, regulatory efficiency, and pull-funding purchase commitments for cost-effective solutions that limit government spending. With the right approach, OWS 2.0 could help solve major public health and technological challenges—without unnecessary government spending.
For more details, check out the full memo.