ARPA-H Issues Call for Adaptive Trial Teams Under SURPASS Solicitation

The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) is launching a new procurement initiative through its SURPASS solicitation (ARPA-H-SOL-26-164), targeting the development and clinical validation of adaptive platform trials. This initiative is designed to enhance efficacy and efficiency in clinical research by leveraging advanced methodologies and integrating artificial intelligence in trial operations. The program will span five years, providing multiple award opportunities via Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs), which are particularly favorable for fostering collaboration among various stakeholders including clinical research entities, sponsors, and operational networks.

Adaptive platform trials represent a significant evolution in clinical research design, allowing studies to modify their course based on interim results. By enabling more flexible approaches, these trials can be responsive to early findings, potentially speeding up the approval of effective therapies. This aligns with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ goals to enhance public health outcomes and streamline the drug approval process.

This solicitation invites a diversity of teams to apply, encouraging the integration of expertise in clinical trials, simulation, and AI technologies. The expectation is that this collaborative approach will yield innovative strategies to deal with the complexity of modern clinical trials. In a landscape where precision medicine is becoming essential, the ability to rapidly adapt trial methodologies will be invaluable.

To raise awareness and foster interest in this significant opportunity, ARPA-H is hosting an informational webinar scheduled for October 15, 2026. This session will provide comprehensive insights into the SURPASS program and is an essential first step for any interested organizations. Additionally, Proposers’ Day sessions are slated for November 6 and 9, 2026, offering a closer look at potential collaboration models and team configurations that could emerge under this initiative.

Those interested should take advantage of these events to engage with ARPA-H officials and align their expertise with the program’s goals. The coming weeks are crucial for organizing thoughts, gathering teams, and articulating capabilities for submission.

Questions regarding the SURPASS initiative can be directed to SURPASS@ARPA-H.GOV. This additional communication channel will be vital as teams prepare focused responses to the solicitation criteria and begin outlining their proposed projects.

In summary, this development signals a keen interest from ARPA-H in refining clinical trial processes and underscores the potential for innovative collaborations in the healthcare research sector.