General Dynamics lands a $42M DoD drug development contract

The big defense contractor General Dynamics is hiring a team to help it execute on a $41.8 million contract to develop new drugs, devices and vaccines for the military.

Its General Dynamics Information Technology unit landed the contract and plans to hire 30 staffers for the work, which will have a four-year window to supply new therapeutics to the U.S. Army Medical Materiel Development Activity group--or USAMMDA, as it's summarized in strict military language. The unit plans to work with Tunnell Government Services, a life sciences technical services consulting company, on the contract, taking new biotech products through the lab and on to FDA approval.

"USAMMDA develops new drugs, vaccines and medical support devices that enhance readiness, ensure provisions of the highest quality medical care to the DoD and maximize the survival of medical casualties on the battlefield," says the General Dynamics release.

"Medical research plays a critical role in ensuring that U.S. servicemen and servicewomen are protected before, during and after a mission," said Marcus Collier, senior vice president of the Health and Civilian Solutions division, General Dynamics Information Technology, in a statement. "Our unique combination of health, military and IT expertise will help the USAMMDA develop new leading-edge medical solutions." 

- here's the press release