Research has shown that Matrix Metalloproteinases (“MMPs”) activity plays a major role in the deterioration of human tissue when exposed to chemical agents such as mustard gas. Ilomastat, which is a particular member of the MultiStat™ family, has been demonstrated to be highly effective at inhibiting the MMPs involved in these types of exposures.

Quick-Med Technologies expects to develop Ilomastat for as a post-injury agent for mustard gas exposure first for ocular, then other topical uses.

In November 2000, Quick-Med Technologies entered into a six-year Cooperative Research Development agreement, otherwise known as CRADA, with the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense at Edgewood, Maryland, to develop a post-injury agent for mustard gas exposures to the eye and skin.

Clinical Studies

The Israel Institute for Biological Research treated sulfur mustard burned rabbit eyes for 8 weeks with ilomastat eye drops and observed the eyes for an additional 4 weeks. Both the short-term and long-term injuries were significantly improved by ilomastat treatment compared to burned but untreated eyes.

The TNO Prins Mauritis Laboratory in the Netherlands treated sulfur mustard burned human skin explants in tissue culture with ilomastat for 48 hours. No micro-vesication (micro-blisters) or cell damage was observed in the ilomastat-treated explants. The burned but untreated explants all showed extensive cell damage and micro-blisters. These and the above results suggest that ilomastat should be effective in treating sulfur mustard injuries to both the skin and eye, possibly in combination with current less-than-adequate treatments.