MRIGlobal client Argentum Medical achieved a milestone in its long-standing efforts to defend the country against potential use of chemical weapons: the first U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearance of a product designed for use with certain injuries caused by exposure to sulfur mustard, commonly known as mustard gas.
Exposure to sulfur mustard can cause painful, life-altering injuries. Introduced in World War I as a chemical warfare agent, no medical countermeasures for sulfur mustard existed — until now.
Since 2013, MRIGlobal has supported Argentum Medical by developing comprehensive treatment regimens and models to evaluate the efficacy of antimicrobial burn contact dressings as advanced treatments for wounds caused by chemical threat agents.
MRIGlobal’s expertise in medical countermeasures accelerates the discovery and development of broad-spectrum medical countermeasures to prevent or mitigate the adverse health effects resulting from chemical threat agents, infectious disease, and bioterrorism.
“MRIGlobal has played a significant role in supporting Argentum Medical with this important project to provide the government with effective medical countermeasures to chemical threats,” said Thomas Sack, Ph.D., President and CEO, MRIGlobal. “This was truly a team effort and culmination of thousands of hours of hard work and determination. We celebrate with Argentum Medical and our research partners in making the world better prepared to face and respond to global chemical threats.”
The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), a division of the Department of Health and Human Services, provided technical expertise and funding to Argentum to support the studies necessary to show that the product, Silverlon, is appropriate for use on certain injuries caused by exposure to sulfur mustard.
Argentum Medical President and CEO Raul Brizuela said “What we have accomplished is an amazing example of what can happen when government, the scientific community and industry collaborate for the common good. Today the American people are better prepared to face a significant mass casualty event as a result of your hard word and determination. I want to thank and acknowledge our BARDA colleagues, MRIGlobal, and the Argentum medical team. Without all of you this would not have been possible.”
To learn more visit https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/news/Pages/FDA-blister-injuries.aspx