UM SOM selected to work with BARDA to develop radiologic and nuclear countermeasures

University of Maryland School of Medicine (UM SOM) Department of Radiation Oncology Chair and Professor William F. Regine, MD, FACR, FACRO, and UM SOM Dean E. Albert Reece, MD, PhD, MBA, announced today that researchers at the UM SOM have been selected as key contractors by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), for its Radiation Nuclear Animal Model Development program. BARDA is part of the Office of the Secretary for Preparedness and Response in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

Under the leadership of Zeljko Vujaskovic, MD, PhD, Professor of Radiation Oncology and Director of the Department's Division of Translational Radiation Science (DTRS), UM SOM researchers will work with BARDA to support the development of radiologic and nuclear countermeasures. This Indefinite Delivery/ Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract (HHSO100201500009I) is part of a broader effort to enhance national preparedness for radiation accidents and emergencies.

"Our Division is in a unique position to lead in medical countermeasures research," said Dr. Vujaskovic. "We have extensive experience with experimental models, 30,000 square feet of dedicated space for radiation research, and collaborative expertise from across the broadest spectrum of countermeasure investigations, which allow us to rapidly configure and implement solutions-oriented approaches to even the most difficult challenges."

DTRS was launched in 2012, when Dr. Vujaskovic joined UM SOM from Duke University. He is an internationally recognized physician scientist whose work over the last three decades has focused on elucidating the mechanisms associated with radiation normal tissue injury, identifying potential biomarkers predicting individual risk for injury, and developing novel therapeutic interventions/strategies to prevent, mitigate, or treat radiation injury.

DTRS already partners with government, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device entities on a range of medical and radiation oncology, radiation biology/physics,and biodefense projects. Earlier in 2015, research by DTRS faculty and staff led to FDA approval of the first drug to treat the deleterious effects of radiation exposure following a nuclear incident based on efficacy data generated in animal models. Animal models are especially important in preparing for radiation emergencies, because the efficacy of most experimental treatments cannot be tested in humans. The GLP (Good Laboratory Practice)-compliant testing facility within DTRS has expertise with different experimental models, along with one of the nation's most well equipped suites of technologies supporting radiation research. The work with BARDA will include multiple individual projects that draw on changing configurations of DTRS experts, instrumentation, and specialized resources, as well as on collaborations with other UM SOM and University of Maryland, Baltimore investigators.

According to Dr. Regine, medical countermeasure studies have the potential to provide knowledge that can improve treatment of patients undergoing radiation treatment for a variety of cancers. "Our strong and well-integrated bench-to-bedside continuum within the Department of Radiation Oncology allows us to move new insights into the biology of radiation injury and recovery very quickly to clinical applications for patients undergoing therapy for cancer treatment," said Dr. Regine, who also holds the Isadore & Fannie Schneider Foxman Endowed Professorship. "We are honored to have Dr. Vujaskovic and his team work with BARDA in this effort. The agency understands that discoveries that are crucial in meeting radiation emergencies can also have extraordinary potential for later development in routine clinical use." He noted that 60 percent of all diagnosed cancer patients receive radiation therapy as part of their treatment.

Over the past 40 years, the UM SOM's Department of Radiation Oncology has been a leader in conducting large-scale research in radiation science, and in many ways has helped define the field. Now, the Division of Translational Radiation Sciences is building on that foundation, by continuing to conduct both small and large animal efficacy studies and further developing the capability to use a range of supportive care - from minimal population-based to individual, ICU-type care.

"We are very excited to continue this critical research with BARDA," said Dean E. Albert Reece, MD, PhD, MBA, who is also Vice President of Medical Affairs, the University of Maryland and the John Z. and Akiko Bowers Distinguished Professor at UM SOM. "In particular, our ability to utilize our GLP-testing facility for medical countermeasures, oncology drugs based on tumor models and normal tissue complications from radiation treatment makes us a true leader in the field of translational radiation science."