Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-2023

Publication Source

Revista de la Escuela Jacobea de Posgrado

Abstract

One of the key purposes of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is to deliver war- winning capabilities to soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, and guardians. Because of the unique

nature of defense procurement, this requires constant innovation. Since the 1950s, when military technology became too sophisticated for government arsenals, the DoD has primarily relied on highly specialized defense contractors in the private sector. However, for certain investments in basic science or to circumvent market failures, the DoD devotes resources to its own research and development efforts. The most famous of these government institutions is the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), whose inventions have included stealth aircraft, global positioning systems, and the internet. Nevertheless, as in most countries, most innovation occurs in the private sector. This article explores what makes DARPA exceptional, examining its role in the development of mRNA technologies later used to develop COVID-19 vaccines. And it cautions that DARPA may not be scalable.

ISBN/ISSN

2007-3798

Document Version

Postprint

Comments

The document available for download is the author's accepted manuscript, provided with the permission of the author and the publisher. Permission documentation is on file.

English title: DARPA's role in the development of mRNA vaccines

Issue

24

Keywords

DARPA, disruptive technologies, public procurement, mRNA vaccines

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