This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

It doesn't specifically mention MS but it does mention neurodegenerative diseases once you get past the chemical warfare stuff.

December 14, 2006 12:58 PM Eastern Time

WRAIR and Maas BiolAB Manufacture Neuroprotective Cyclosporin Formula Mitogard®

SILVER SPRING, Md. & ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Maas BiolAB and the Pilot Bioproduction Facility (PBF) of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) manufactured Mitogard®, a proprietary cyclosporin formulation. Mitogard® was shown by WRAIR researchers to be neuroprotective in models of traumatic brain injury and seizure-induced brain injury from organophosphate nerve agents. The scale up production of Mitogard® 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 and contusive traumatic brain injury (TBI), 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® 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 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® and NeuroSTAT® (in cooperation with NeuroPharma of Sweden), two proprietary cyclosporin formulas for intravenous injection. Mitogard® is also designed for intermittent and continuous CSF brain delivery to treat neurodegenerative diseases including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). (www.maasbiolab.com)