In follow-on to the IOM's 1999 report, Assessment of Future Scientific Needs for Live Variola Virus, an IOM committee will perform a comprehensive evaluation of the research and development work recommended in that report and completed to date, and consider what unmet needs still exist that require the use of live variola virus. The conclusions and recommendations will inform policy discussions in the U.S. and within the world community regarding the continued need to retain the official stocks of live variola virus for research purposes, and would provide a major review of completed, ongoing and planned research activities that should be undertaken.

The committee willspecifically consider and offer recommendations pertinent to the utility of live variola virus in addressing potential unmet requirements including:

1. Advanced development through licensure and post-licensure of antivirals for use in treatment of variola virus infections.
2. Advanced development through licensure and post-licensure of new, safe and effective vaccine(s).
3. Development through licensure and post-licensure of less-reactogenic vaccines.
4. Development of approved protein-based diagnostics which can be used in field situations or diagnostics which have sources of error distinct from those of nucleic acid-based diagnostics.
5. Improved pathogenesis data to drive therapeutic discovery.

The project is sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.