Ohio biotech research organizations Battelle and CMC Pharmaceuticals have advanced work on a $40-million US Department of Defense initiative to develop medical countermeasures protecting military personnel from nerve agents.
Awarded through the Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s Joint Science and Technology Office, the five-year program is now moving a promising solution toward Investigational New Drug submission with the US Food and Drug Administration.
The effort centers on producing reactivators that can neutralize man-made neurotoxins by restoring acetylcholinesterase, a critical enzyme that regulates neurotransmitters responsible for signals between neurons, glands, muscle cells, and the brain.
Once completed, these reactivators are expected to be available in a sealed vial and be distributed to the US Armed Forces and its allies, establishing a standardized field-ready medical capability to enhance care for troops exposed to chemical threats.
“Battelle has a long history of working with the [Department of Defense] to develop medical countermeasures that protect military personnel from chemical threats,” said Drew Cawthon, business line director at Battelle.
“We are proud to continue supporting this important mission and to continue to drive next-generation solutions to emerging threats with a strong partner like CMC Pharmaceuticals.”
CMC Pharmaceuticals assists on the program by handling chemistry, manufacturing, and controls tasks, including laboratory development, testing, formulation, and regulatory oversight.
“Providing drug development services to the [US Department of Defense] to protect our troops against the threat of nerve agents is truly an honor,” said Mike Radomsky, president of CMC Pharmaceuticals.
“This program adds to our existing and growing portfolio of improved therapeutics and medical countermeasures for the US government.”