U.S. DoD Awards Several Multi-Million Dollar Contracts To Medtech Companies
By Jof Enriquez,
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The United States Department of Defense (DoD) recently awarded separate, multi-million dollar contracts to medical device companies Abbott Laboratories Inc., Philips Healthcare, and Dentsply Caulk.
Abbott was awarded a $19,540,180 contract to develop a test using biomarkers that detects mild traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) among military personnel using the company’s i-Stat handheld analyzer device, according to a DoD press release. The deal includes an allocation of $3,892,851 for research, development, test, and evaluation funds for the project, which is slated for completion on Aug. 12, 2016.
“The quick and accurate diagnosis of a concussion is critical so that soldiers who are affected — whether on the battlefield or not — can be removed from duty to recover and to prevent further injury,” Colonel Dallas C. Hack, M.D., brain health coordinator, United States Army medical research and materiel command, said in another press release. “The Department of Defense collaboration with Abbott represents a major initiative to help improve efforts to understand this complex injury and care for wounded warriors suffering from this condition.”
The statement says that signs and symptoms of mild TBIs often do not manifest in conventional concussion and medical imaging tests, but the i-Stat device can track protein biomarkers in the blood that are produced shortly after a mild head injury for prompt medical diagnosis.
“Medical advances are needed to help more quickly assess concussions. The collaboration between Abbott and the Department of Defense is an important step in ensuring that military service members, and ultimately civilians, receive proper evaluation,” Beth McQuiston, M.D., a board certified neurologist and medical director of diagnostics at Abbott, said in the statement. “These new tests could open the door to many possibilities for evaluating concussions and helping clinicians optimize care and outcomes.”
The DoD press release also announced the award of a modified contract worth $17,924,500 to Philips Healthcare for biomedical equipment maintenance at various unnamed Air Force and Army treatment facilities. The deal is scheduled to be completed by Sept. 30, 2015.
The Defense department also gave a $21,000,000 fixed-price contract to Dentsply Caulk to distribute dental supplies for members of the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and federal civilian agencies, the news release stated. The estimated date of completion for the one-year base deal is on Oct. 11, 2015, with four one-year option periods.