Chemical and Biological Threats

Protecting Our Communities

Background

New Amsterdam Science is working closely with our country’s Homeland Security establishment and the scientific investigators partnered on our programs to help develop countermeasures to mitigate terrorist threats imposed on our friends and neighbors. The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provides an integrated, systematic approach to the development and purchase of the necessary vaccines, drugs, therapies, and diagnostic tools for public health medical emergencies. BARDA manages the procurement and advanced development of medical countermeasures for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear agents, as well as the advanced development and procurement of medical countermeasures for pandemic influenza and other emerging infectious diseases.

Chemical and Nerve Gas Exposure Medical Countermeasure Opportunities

The threat of a chemical exposure event caused by state or non-state actors is very real for many military personnel and civilians. NAS150 has demonstrated significant survival in animal models for chemical warfare agents such as sulfur mustard, chlorine, soman, and phosgene gas. These extremely toxic agents represent a mass casualty threat as well as cause delayed, chronic toxicity in survivors. NAS150 has demonstrated significant dermatological and pulmonary protection, as well as cognitive improvement and enhanced survival in animal models following exposure to these toxic agents.

Government agencies like BARDA, National Institutes of Health, and the Department of Defense are important agencies that have previously supported, and continue to support, the development of compounds like ours that have the potential to protect the country against these threats.

NAS911 has also been investigated for its immune-stimulating yet anti-inflammatory activities. Published studies partially funded by the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research revealed an ability of the compound to protect murine lung and immune systems from damage due to inhaled JP-8 jet fuel and other environmental toxicants (i.e., aromatic hydrocarbons in diesel exhaust and cigarette smoke). More recent NAS grant funding from the U.S. Army will help explore the anti-inflammatory effect in influenza infection, where host immune activity may present the greatest risk to infected individuals, and anti-inflammatory immunostimulants might provide safe, symptomatic relief that could be synergistic with the FDA-approved, and currently stockpiled anti-influenza product oseltamivir (Tamiflu®, Roche/Genentech)

For additional information on the products being developed for these indications, please contact us.