The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is teaming up with Israeli company MediWound Ltd. in the creation of a new treatment of skin injuries resulting from exposure to sulfur mustard.
Sulfur mustard, more commonly known as mustard gas, has seen devastating use since World War I, after which its use was banned at a national scale. It leaves permanent damage to the skin, eyes, and lungs, and can scar, burn and kill its victims. In the more than 100 years of its existence, however, no one has yet found an approved treatment for the injuries it creates.
DHHS has therefore authorized the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority to sign a three-year, $11.9 million contract with MediWound to advance the development of a product known as NexoBrid. NexoBrid is a potential treatment for chemically injured skin exposed to mustard gas which can, in theory, help wounds heal properly. It has already shown potential in animal models, offering an alternative to the surgery or specialized lasers more commonly needed to remove skin tissue damaged by the substance.
The contract can be extended for up to five additional years and see as much as $31 million put toward it. Participants will focus on animal model development, optimization of NixoBrid treatment conditions and efficacy studies in animals with the goal of gaining U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval.