FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

For more information, contact:

Susan Hadley, Greystone Medical Group – (901) 452-2395 or

Elizabeth Maynard-Garrett, UTHSC – (901) 448-4957.

 

Greystone Medical Group and UTHSC

 Receive $1 Million for Hemostatic Research

 

Memphis, Tennessee (August 20, 2004) – Greystone Medical Group and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) have been awarded $1 million from the U.S. Department of Defense to research and develop hemostatic agents for treating battlefield injuries.

The Office of Naval Research’s Division for Casualty Care and Management will administer these funds. The $1 million appropriation is included in the Fiscal Year 2005 Defense Appropriations Conference Report. Senator Bill Frist, Senator Lamar Alexander and Congressman Marsha Blackburn supported Greystone and UTHSC’s request for research funding. President George Bush approved the Conference Report on August 5, 2004.

In order to expedite this research, the Office of Naval Research awarded an additional $150,000 research grant to Bob Moore, II, Ph.D. at UTHSC.  Dr. Moore is conducting the research on this experimental drug, which is being developed to treat severe battlefield wounds and potentially save lives.

“Greater than 50% of combat deaths are due to the rapid loss of blood within minutes of wounding. Thus, the identification and development of agents that will quickly and effectively control severe hemorrhage is the primary focus of the navy’s Casualty Care and Management program,” said Michael B. Given, Ph.D., Program Officer, Casualty Care & Management at the Office of Naval Research.

According to Dr. Moore, “Our research has led us to a potential drug, which rapidly stops blood loss from life-threatening wounds. This drug therapy would allow field medics to rapidly stabilize and stop bleeding in a trauma victim. As a result, wound treatment time per casualty would be reduced thus permitting more rapid resuscitation measures to prevent the development of severe hemorrhagic shock—which can result in permanent damage to vital organs or death.”

            UTHSC Chancellor Bill Rice stated, “We are pleased to receive this appropriation that will permit Dr. Moore and Greystone to continue this important research. It’s particularly exciting when you get to witness potential discoveries that could make a significant difference in health care.”

Greystone Medical Group, a Memphis biotech company specializing in wound care treatment, has licensed this technology from UTHSC.  “We plan to support Dr. Moore in his research, development and optimization of his technology,” said Greg Pilant, Greystone’s President and CEO. “After the R&D phase is completed, we’ll take the developed technology to the Food and Drug Administration and begin the regulatory approval process.”

“Approximately 75,000 Americans bleed to death each year as a result of trauma accidents. If police, firefighters, soldiers, and emergency response technicians had Dr. Moore’s drug, they could potentially save more lives each year than seatbelts and airbags combined,” said Pilant.

Dr. Moore’s research is being conducted in the College of Pharmacy at UTHSC. The transfer of this technology is being handled by TriStar Enterprises, a non-profit company through which UTHSC facilitates the creation and commercialization of new bioscience technologies. The U.S. Office of Naval Research and Dr. Mike Given are consulting with Dr. Moore on the research.

In supporting the bill, Senator Frist said, “Ensuring our troops have access to the best possible medical care is vital to the safety and security of the United States’ Armed Forces.  This research funding will help guarantee that the brave men and women in our armed forces remain adequately protected and prepared for their duties in the field.”

            "I am pleased that Congress approved this funding and that the Department of Defense is making this important investment in Memphis," said Senator Lamar Alexander. "This cutting-edge research could make a difference in the lives of our military men and women as well as all Tennesseans and Americans."

            "This was a real team effort,” announced Tennessee’s State Representative Marsha Blackburn, “and I know that we all have high hopes for this groundbreaking medical research.  If successful, this project will be a real lifesaver for our men and women in uniform.  I look forward to continuing to work to be sure that projects with significant potential receive the support necessary to take healthcare technology to the next level."

 

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