FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FREDERICK, MD, October 30, 2017 – The Joint Project Management Office for Medical Countermeasure Systems (JPM-MCS) announced the creation of a new office that focuses on developing novel platform technologies to improve Department of Defense efficiencies in medical countermeasure (MCM) development.
For years, the approach to medical countermeasure (MCM) development has been “one bug, one drug.” This approach, coupled with an evolving threat environment, unstable manufacturing base, and a complex regulatory process, has hindered the ability to deliver MCMs to the Force in a timely manner.
The Joint Product Lead Office—Platforms for Rapid Integrated Solutions for Medical Countermeasures (JPL-PRISM) intends to streamline increase MCM development by adopting platform technologies that counter a broad spectrum of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threat agents using standardized discovery, design, manufacturing, and testing processes.
“The platform approach leverages standardized processes and efficiencies that enable us to deliver capabilities to the warfighter sooner,” said Nicole Kilgore, Acting Joint Product Lead for PRISM. “The goal is to rapidly identify new and emerging threats and quickly deliver a medical countermeasure product that protects U.S. troops.”
The MCS Joint Project Manager, COL David Hammer stated, “The Secretary of Defense has expressed the importance of innovation and defense technology modernization in order to maintain the superiority of U.S. forces in the battlefield. The new PRISM office does just that, by allowing us to rapidly respond to CBRN threats and streamline MCM delivery to the U.S. military force.”
About Medical Countermeasure Systems
JPM-MCS, a component of the U.S. Department of Defense’s Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical and Biological Defense, aims to provide U.S. military forces and the nation with safe, effective, and innovative medical solutions to counter chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats. JPM-MCS facilitates the advanced development and acquisition of medical countermeasures and systems to enhance the nation’s biodefense response capability.
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