OCTOBER 11, 2018
ARGENTUM MEDICAL AWARDED $8.4M BARDA CONTRACT
FOR SILVERLON® WOUND TECHNOLOGY TO PREPARE U.S. FOR NUCLEAR
AND RADIATION EMERGENCIES
Geneva, Ill. — To prepare for radiological and nuclear emergencies, the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services (HSS) has announced it will work with Argentum Medical, LLC to repurpose its commercial SILVERLON®
technology for radiation injuries of the skin.
As a pioneer of silver technology, the privately held company has been awarded a three-year, $8.4 million contract
with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the HHS Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR). This contract will look at the potential use of its SILVERLON®
technology for use for low-grade and severe skin radiation injuries after a radiation emergency.
Under a separate contract with BARDA, Argentum Medical is nearing completion of studies required to apply for
FDA clearance of SILVERLON® for skin burns caused by sulfur mustard chemical weapon exposure.
“SILVERLON® antimicrobial technology has been battle field-tested by the U.S. Military in the most austere
environments for over a decade. The stringent evaluation process of the HHS further supports SILVERLON’s
clinically-proven efficacy, safety and multidisciplinary value,” said Raul Brizuela, president and CEO of Argentum
Medical. “Radiation injuries of the skin can be life-threatening and require reliable, sustained and versatile
antimicrobial protection. It’s an honor to extend our SILVERLON® technology to support the critical work of the HHS
to advance America’s preparedness for radiological and nuclear emergencies.”
SILVERLON’S MILITARY HERITAGE
Developed for combat injuries, SILVERLON® antimicrobial technology is now used by every branch of the U.S.
Military. As the evidence-based antimicrobial dressing available, SILVERLON® products contain 50 to 100 times more
metallic silver ions than other silver-impregnated dressings.
Studies have shown SILVERLON® to be highly effective in hostile and austere military environments. The U.S. Army
uses SILVERLON® wound-care technology extensively in the management of burn and blast injuries.
SILVERLON® is incorporated into numerous deployed Medical Tactical Combat Casualty Care kits and is also
supplied in bulk to Combat and Support Hospitals and Tactical Forward Surgical Teams. It is also included in burn
care protocols in the Joint Theater Trauma System Clinical Practice Guideline.
SILVERLON® burn products and protocols are extensively used by the US Army and by US Air Force Critical Care Air
Transport (CCAT) teams and are taught at the US Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine Critical Care Air Transport
Basic Course.
Beyond the military, SILVERLON® dressings are used today by surgeons and other healthcare professionals around
the world on surgical wounds, in negative pressure wound therapy, on chronic wounds, burns, skin grafts, and IV
and catheter-related wounds.
Argentum Medical continues to explore new applications and markets for its SILVERLON® technology in keeping
with its corporate mission to improve clinical outcomes. For more about SILVERLON®, visit Silverlon.com.
ABOUT SILVERLON®
SILVERLON® wound dressings have a permanently plated metallic surface, which provides the antimicrobial
benefits of silver in the dressing without staining the skin and without increasing bioburden. SILVERLON® was
originally developed for the U.S. military, where it is still extensively used for management of burn and blast injuries.
SILVERLON® dressings are used today by surgeons and other healthcare professionals around the world on surgical
wounds, in negative pressure wound therapy, on chronic wounds, burns, skin grafts, and IV and catheter-related
wounds. For more, visit Silverlon.com.
ABOUT ARGENTUM MEDICAL
Argentum Medical pioneered the use of silver-plated nylon. Specializing in the development of innovative products
made from silver-plated nylon, the company continues to explore new applications and markets for its SILVERLON®
technology in keeping with its corporate mission to improve clinical outcomes.
ABOUT HHS, ASPR and BARDA
HHS works to enhance and protect the health and well-being of all Americans, providing for effective health and
human services and fostering advances in medicine, public health, and social services. The mission of the Office
of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) is to save lives and protect Americans from 21st
century health security threats. Within ASPR, BARDA invests in the advanced research and development, acquisition,
and manufacturing of medical countermeasures – vaccines, drugs, therapeutics, diagnostic tools, and nonpharmaceutical
products needed to combat health security threats.
For more about ASPR and BARDA, visit PHE.gov/aspr. To learn more about partnering with BARDA on
advanced development of medical countermeasures – drugs, vaccines and devices for emergencies – visit
MedicalCounterMeasures.gov.