WRAIR and Maas BiolAB Manufacture Neuroprotective Cyclosporin Formula Mitogard(R).SILVER SPRING, Md. & ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Maas BiolAB and the Pilot Bioproduction Facility (PBF) of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research This article is about the U.S. Army medical research institute (not the hospital). Otherwise, see Walter Reed (disambiguation). The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) is the largest biomedical research facility administered by the U.S. (WRAIR) manufactured Mitogard[R], a proprietary cyclosporin formulation. Mitogard[R] was shown by WRAIR researchers to be neuroprotective in models of traumatic brain injury Traumatic brain injury (TBI), traumatic injuries to the brain, also called intracranial injury, or simply head injury, occurs when a sudden trauma causes brain damage. TBI can result from a closed head injury or a penetrating head injury and is one of two subsets of acquired brain and seizure-induced brain injury from organophosphate nerve agents. The scale up production of Mitogard[R] under current good manufacturing practices (cGMPs) is the first drug preparation by the PBF, which previously focused exclusively on vaccines. WRAIR is researching the neuroprotective effects of cyclosporin against concussive con·cus·sion n. 1. A violent jarring; a shock. See Synonyms at collision. 2. An injury to an organ, especially the brain, produced by a violent blow and followed by a temporary or prolonged loss of function. and contusive traumatic brain injury (TBI TBI 1. Thyroxine-binding index 2. Total body irradiation ), and seizure-induced nerve damage from chemical warfare agents. WRAIR scientists Richard Bauman, Ph.D. and Joseph Long, Ph.D. have already shown improved outcomes with Maas cyclosporin formulas in animal models of brain injury from head trauma and nerve agents. This production of Mitogard[R] was funded by the Ft. Detrick Technology Transfer Initiative (FDTTI) managed by the Maryland Technology Development Corp. (TEDCO). This program supports development of commercial technologies by the private sector to meet the needs of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC). TEDCO works closely with the Frederick County Office of Economic Development and the USAMRMC. "FDTTI funding advanced the development of cyclosporin neuroprotection," said Marcus Keep, M.D., CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of Maas BiolAB. "Our collaboration with WRAIR and the cGMP manufacture at their Pilot Production Facility brings our neuroprotective drug toward the aid of injured soldiers and potential civilian nerve agent casualties." About Walter Reed Army Institute of Research The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) is the largest and most diverse biomedical research laboratory in the U.S. Department of Defense. For more than 100 years, WRAIR has conducted research on a range of military issues including combat casualty care, and medical defense against biological and chemical weapons to sustain the warfighter. The WRAIR Pilot Production Facility makes vaccines and drugs against biological and chemical threats. (http://wrair-www.army.mil/) About Maas BiolAB Maas BiolAB is a private company in Albuquerque, NM, USA developing injectable cyclosporin neuroprotection drugs for chronic brain diseases, battlefield traumatic brain injury and nerve agent exposure. Maas BiolAB is developing Mitogard[R] and NeuroSTAT[R] (in cooperation with NeuroPharma of Sweden), two proprietary cyclosporin formulas for intravenous injection. Mitogard[R] is also designed for intermittent and continuous CSF Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Analysis Definition Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis is a laboratory test to examine a sample of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. brain delivery to treat neurodegenerative diseases including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) (ā'mīətrōf`ik, sklĭrō`sĭs) or motor neuron disease, (ALS Als (äls), Ger. Alsen, island, 121 sq mi (313 sq km), Sønderjylland co., S Denmark, in the Lille Bælt, separated from the mainland by the narrow Alensund. ). (www.maasbiolab.com) About the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) TEDCO, an independent entity, was established by the Maryland General Assembly The Maryland General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Maryland. It is a bicameral body. The upper chamber, the Maryland State Senate, has 47 representatives and the lower chamber, the Maryland House of Delegates, has 141 representatives. to facilitate the creation and growth of businesses in the State. TEDCO connects emerging technology companies with federal laboratories, research universities, business incubators and specialized technical assistance. For the third consecutive year, TEDCO was recognized as the most active early/seed stage investor in the nation in the July 2006 issue of Entrepreneur Magazine. (www.MarylandTEDCO.org) |
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