FasterCures, a Center of the Milken Institute, is pleased to see the inclusion of $1 billion in funding for a new Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) in the omnibus FY22 spending bill recently passed. We have long supported the deployment of DARPA-like authorities and capabilities for more high-risk, solutions-oriented medical research and development. We are gratified that this concept is moving forward at a time when the critical importance of fast-paced, collaborative, cutting-edge science is front and center in the attention of policymakers and the public.

Securing this funding is a critical step, and we look forward to engaging with Congress in developing and passing authorizing legislation needed to equip ARPA-H with the tools required for the new agency to be effective in achieving its mission to drive solutions to health challenges of high unmet need and low innovation activity.