The Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Ambassador Fernando Arias, had a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of South Sudan, Hon. James Pitia Morgan, on 3 October 2023 in the margins of CHEMEX Africa in Algiers, Algeria.

The Director-General and the Minister both emphasised the importance of upholding and strengthening the global norm against chemical weapons and discussed South Sudan’s progress towards accession to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). The two high-level officials agreed to work together to complete the accession process as soon as possible.

“South Sudan is committed to the objective of a world free of chemical weapons,” the Minister said. “While South Sudan is a young, developing country with many priorities before it, we are a responsible member of the international community and accession to the Convention at an early stage remains a priority for us.”

The Director-General briefed the Minister on the ongoing work of the OPCW in preventing the re-emergence of chemical weapons, including the wide range of international cooperation programmes offered by the Organisation, such as assistance and protection related to the use or threat of use of chemical weapons. 

Ambassador Arias further emphasised that universal adherence to the Convention remains a top priority for the OPCW and stated: “I commend South Sudan’s ambition to accede to the Convention at an early stage. The OPCW is ready to provide any support South Sudan may require in this endeavour.”

The Director-General and the Minister concluded the meeting by signing a joint communique. They also discussed broader issues related to global arms control, non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and disarmament.

The meeting took place with financial support from the Government of Canada. 

Today, the United States has announced sanctions against multiple China based companies and individuals they alledge are involved in the production fo chemicals that are used to make fantanyl 

Attorney General Merrick Garland said the drug's supply chain "often starts with chemical companies in China". The Chinese embassy in Washington has not yet responded to a request for comment by the Reuters news agency. 

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated 28 individuals and entities involved with the international proliferation of illicit drugs, including a China-based network responsible for the manufacturing and distribution of ton quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and MDMA precursors. Those designated by OFAC today are also involved in the global trafficking of xylazine and “nitazenes,” which are highly potent and often mixed with illicit fentanyl or other drugs.

“Treasury is taking sweeping action with our colleagues in law enforcement to expose and disrupt a network responsible for manufacturing and distributing illicit drugs, including fentanyl and other substances that take thousands of American lives each year,” said Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo. “Today’s action from OFAC and IRS-CI reflects how we will swiftly use all of our tools to counter the global threat posed by the illicit drug trade.”

The arrest of a man on terrorism offences was first reported in January 2023, without too much information in the press about the nature of the acts.

He has now gone to trial and been found guilty, and according to the Counter Terror Policing website, Mohamad Al-Bared, of Coventry, made a drone specifically to transport an explosive or chemical weapon into enemy territory for the Islamic State (IS). Component parts for the drone were made on his 3D printer found at his home address, his phone and laptop were also seized.

Following intricate analysis of these devices, detectives revealed a series of conversations on his devices clearly demonstrating his support for ISIS as well as extremist material and violent propaganda videos. During a search of his address, detectives also found notebooks detailing chemical equations and recipes for chemical weapons.

Despite Al-Bared having studied mechanical and chemical engineering, it was clear that the chemicals referenced were to be used as weapons rather than as part of his studies.

Al-Bared, who was studying engineering at Birmingham university denied he had plans to join and assist IS, and that he made the drone for his own reserach purposes. 

Al-Bared is due to be sentenced on November 27. 

PELA Systems and M2DCON have signed a distribution agreement for North America. Peter Lashbrook, Founder of PELA Systems and Tim Meilander, Co-founder and CEO of M2DCON signed the agreement, recognizing the exciting relationship between these innovative market leaders. The two companies share a passion to protect operators and first responders who find themselves working in some of the most dangerous and challenging environments. This agreement will put the best CBRNe products into the hands of operators across the US.

The bi-annual defence and security exhibition, DSEI, is believed to be the biggest in the world. In 2023, with a record-breaking attendance the two business leaders met to finalise the agreement meaning PELA Systems products will be fully supported in the United States. “Our route to market has been directly with the end-user or integrator, and when it comes to the US market, we want to ensure the range is fully supported and available”. Says Peter, “With Tim and the team representing the PELAmesh range in the US, we can offer improved support and user experience, alongside delivering PELAmesh to the widest possible user range.” M2DCON are carrying PELAmesh in addition to their own products, creating a catalogue of problem-solving CBRNe products.

M2DCON has multiple decades of experience in chemical and biological decontamination, with operators across multiple services relying on their life-saving products. With more than 25 patents, their extensive research with industry leaders and laboratories including U.S Army CBC, U.S Air Force AFRL and Dugway, M2DCON maintains relationships at the highest levels of U.S defence and first responders. Distributing PELAmesh in the US means M2DCON can support operators from the moment they suspect a toxic or hazardous incident. “PELAmesh provides a unique opportunity to leverage legacy and new detectors/sensors into an overarching data mesh of information. This powerful tool enhances immediate and operational decisions related events like terrorist attacks, chemical attacks, wildfires, etc..” Tim continues, “Combining field information with decontamination/protection actions equals more efficient and effective deployment of equipment and chemistries to mitigate the event. PELAmesh with M2DCON’s advanced decontamination/protection products provide an integrated solution in a new and innovative manner.”

PELA Systems design and manufacture sensor fusion and communication platforms for defence, security and first responders. At the core of the range is PELAmesh™ the Patented CBRNe sensor integration platform, providing real-time situational awareness. Selected by the British Army during the Army Warfighting Experiment (AWE), PELAmesh provides monitoring of CBRNe threats for reconnaissance and force protection roles.  In recent years, PELAmesh has been applied to wildfire, conservation and law enforcement scenarios connecting operators to sensors in a way never achieved.

Interest and inquiries for PELAmesh from the US has been significant, particularly in CBRNe, hazmat and wildfire monitoring applications. US organizations recognize the clear benefit PELAmesh brings to situational awareness and limiting risk to operators. They are willing to invest in technology to detect and monitor emerging CBRNe and hazmat threats. This distribution relationship brings the life-saving work of PELAmesh quickly and efficiently to the hands of US operators who need it most.

Both companies share similar values, with problem-solving solutions and practical products at the heart of their respective engagements with defence and security. Providing frontline operators with the best possible protection is a fundamental belief both PELA Systems and M2DCON share.

Instrumental in the signing of this distribution agreement is Kevin Cresswell, co-founder along with M2DCON, of CBRNe Atlantic Bridge. The organization seeks to link US, Canadian and UK opportunities, fostering strong business relationships across this vital sector. The not-for-profit was formed in the wake of failing export engagement between the US and UK, in which the CBRNe sector is poorly represented, on both sides of the Atlantic.

The new Griffin G510x enables operators to identify trace amounts of narcotics in complex mixtures or ‘hidden’ within other substances in less than 5 minutes. Given its potency, even a microscopic amount of fentanyl can be life threatening. G510x can spot as little as a 2% fentanyl concentration mixed in a background of common pain relievers. The more easily first responders can identify the type of drug that’s triggered an overdose, the faster they can begin lifesaving treatment.

Teledyne FLIR Defense, part of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY), has announced the release of the revolutionary Griffin™ G510x portable chemical detector, specifically designed to analyze and identify explosives and narcotics, including fentanyl, during field operations. The new variant builds on the success of its popular G510 system and will allow first responders and law enforcement to confidently identify street drugs within five minutes.

Teledyne FLIR’s Griffin G510 platform is a portable Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS) system used widely by domestic and international public safety teams to perform real-time in-field chemical threat confirmation. Modifications on the new G510x enable operators to identify trace amounts of narcotics in complex mixtures that are now the norm. Opioids such as fentanyl and the xylazine combination ‘tranq’ pose serious threats to users and emergency responders alike.

Confidence levels when identifying drugs in the field is crucial to both medical staff and police. The Griffin G510x has proven uniquely capable of confirming deadly narcotics ‘hidden’ within other substances. Given the potency of fentanyl and its derivatives, even a microscopic amount can be life threatening. G510x can spot as little as a two-percent fentanyl concentration mixed in a background of common pain relievers, while other systems might only detect the pain reliever.

“Fentanyl and other drugs have taken thousands of lives and devastated communities across America. The G510x gives federal and local law enforcement a powerful new tool to quickly identify dangerous narcotics in the field and get them off our streets,” said Mark Blanco, vice president of Integrated Detection Systems at Teledyne FLIR Defense.

“We’re proud to offer new technology solutions that can combat drug trafficking and save lives. The more easily first responders can identify the type of drug that’s triggered an overdose, the faster they can begin lifesaving treatment,” he added.

The G510x features on-board drug databases updated every three-to-six months that provide confirmatory analysis of more than 3,500 illicit drugs, metabolites, and other related compounds. A nine-inch touchscreen display guides user prompts and can be operated while wearing protective equipment. Built-in Wi-Fi and GPS, along with a Wi-Fi hotspot, allow Teledyne FLIR and third-party chemists to provide real-time analysis to confirm or deny chemicals of interest via end-to-end encrypted connection.

Learn more about the Griffin G510x online.

QinetiQ Group plc (QinetiQ) is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a 5-year $84 million contract in the US for the testing and production of the Next Generation Advanced Bomb Suit (NGABS).

The NGABS contract is a Program of Record where QinetiQ will deliver over 700 NGAB suits to the US Army. The new suit will replace the current 20 year-old bomb suit, and will provide enhanced protection to its users in their daily operations to identify, render safe, and dispose of improvised explosive devices and other explosive threats. The new suit will increase soldier survivability and readiness to respond to evolving threats by providing them with 360 degree ballistic protection and significantly increasing situational awareness with built-in technology enhancements.

This contract win is a great example of our advanced sensor and data processing capability delivering success and growth in our US business (formerly MTEQ), taking products from prototype into full-scale production.

A multi-vehicle accident sparked a spillage of anhydrous ammonia on Friday when a truck carrying the substance overturned. Acccording to the County Coroner "five people were fatally overcome by anhydrous ammonia, including two children under 12 and an adult from the same Teutopolis residence. A semi truck driver from Ohio and a motorist from Missouri were also killed, while five others were airlifted to hospitals, including the driver of the truck carrying the toxic material."

The NTSB is investigating and emergency responders remained on site during Saturday to work on containing the cloud of anhydrous ammonia. Effingham County Sheriff Paul Kuhns said in a press conference  “a large plume, cloud of anhydrous ammonia on the roadway that caused terribly dangerous air conditions in the northeast area of Teutopolis,” Mr Kuhns said. “Because of these conditions, the emergency responders had to wait. They had to mitigate the conditions before they could really get to work on it, and it was a fairly large area.” 

The Department of Defense have released the unclassified version of its 2023 Strategy for Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD). 

The 2023 DOD CWMD Strategy seeks to account for current and emerging WMD challenges and threats, and provide tailored methods to address them. The Department will account for WMD threats holistically to prevent, mitigate, withstand, operate through, and recover from WMD attacks in close consultation with Allies and partners.

"This Strategy lays the foundation for the Department to confront the complex and demanding challenges presented by WMD," wrote Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in the Secretary's Foreword.  

In line with the 2022 National Defense Strategy, the CWMD Strategy recognizes the People's Republic of China as the pacing challenge, Russia as the acute threat, and the DPRK, Iran, and violent extremist organizations as persistent threats.

Recognizing that different actors and threat modalities pose distinct challenges, the CWMD Strategy outlines a strategic approach that requires tailored investments and actions to address each challenge. The CWMD Strategy explains how the Department will align authorities, operations, activities, and investments based on the DoD's unique current and emerging CWMD needs.

"This Strategy reinforces other guidance provided in the Nuclear Posture Review, the Missile Defense Review, and the Biodefense Posture Review by clarifying the role of the CWMD mission within the Department's overall approach to integrated deterrence and conflict," said Secretary Lloyd Austin, "I am confident that the Department possesses the ingenuity and determination necessary to outpace current and future threats."

The 2023 CWMD Strategy is the third iteration for the Department, and replaces the 2014 Strategy for CWMD. 

The unclassified 2023 Strategy for Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction can be found here.

The Fact Sheet for the 2023 Strategy for Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction can be found here.

Armis Biopharma, Inc. announced today that the company received a $20.3 million contract from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) to develop its proprietary Veriox® DECON chemical warfare agent (CWA) decontamination product for use in battlefield wounds. This will be an important product for warfighters who may be exposed to chemical warfare agents when wounded as the technology could have the potential to help save lives and extend the opportunity to provide an appropriate level of care to the severely injured. The May 2023 edition of the DTRA JSTO publication, "JSTO in the News" included the article, "Beyond a Bandage," that explains the significance of the Veriox® DECON technology for military personnel.

The Armis Veriox® technology (Veriox® DECON) was found to be effective in neutralizing chemical warfare agents in two separate studies conducted by the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense (USAMRICD).  

"We are excited for the opportunity to bring a new technology to decontaminate chemical warfare agents for application in both civilian and military markets. Our unique proprietary solution, Veriox® DECON, offers several advantages over existing decontamination products for both individual application and for mass casualty settings because it can be rapidly dispensed with standard liquid dispensing systems that will allow first responders to quickly decontaminate multiple individuals," said Ted Ziemann, Chairman and CEO of Armis Biopharma. "Veriox® DECON is also environmentally safe in that it breaks down rapidly into harmless products and demonstrates a better safety profile than competitive products."

In November 2020, Armis Biopharma received a grant from the National Institutes of Health to develop Veriox® DECON to provide first responders working on mass-casualty decontamination, an effective, cost-efficient, fast application to neutralize chemical warfare agents on skin. Work on that application is currently in progress.

In addition to nerve agent decontamination, Veriox® DECON is also a highly effective antimicrobial agent, having shown excellent efficacy against biological warfare agents (BWAs) and drug resistant pathogens and has also been successfully tested against fentanyl.

DTRA JSTO welcomes Dr. Robert K. Kristovich as Director of the Chemical and Biological Technologies Department, Research and Development Directorate (RD-CB) for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). RD-CB serves as the Joint Science and Technology Office (JSTO), an integral component of the Chemical and Biological Defense Program (CBDP). His first day was Aug. 27.

As Director of DTRA JSTO, Dr. Kristovich leads an office of 200 professionals including eight divisions of scientists, researchers and administrative staff. He manages the execution of over $505 million focused on transforming science and technology (S&T) to prepare for current and emerging chemical and biological (CB) threats to better protect the Joint Force, our allies, and the nation.

Dr. Kristovich will be joingin us as a speaker at the upcoming CBRNe Convergence in Knoxville this November. 

A national team of experts will advance an innovative biopolymer particle-based platform technology to develop vaccine candidates to protect against biowarfare threats including Q Fever, tularaemia, and melioidosis.

Health Security Systems Australia (HSSA) is engaging with leading scientific experts from across Australia, led by Griffith University, including the Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory in Geelong, the NSW Department of Primary Industries, the University of Western Australia, and industry partner BioCina Pty Ltd, an Australian-based global biologics Contract Development Manufacturing Organisation (CDMO).

The two-year funding will advance this project which ultimately aims to establish sovereign capability in Australia to rapidly develop and manufacture vaccines against biothreats and emerging infectious diseases at an industrial scale.

This project was identified from an HSSA national call for collaborative proposals in 2022, with funding support from Defence through the Next Generation Technologies Fund. The call focused on key priority themes, including the need for vaccine products or platform technologies for infectious disease threats, which aligns with HSSA’s mission to develop medical countermeasures that protect military and civilian personnel against chemical, biological and radiological (CBR) threats, emerging infectious diseases and pandemics.

The technology developed at Griffith University uses a platform approach, using engineered bacterial cells to rapidly assemble biopolymer particles coated in an immunogenic antigen. This unique, cost-effective and scalable biomanufacturing process has developed multiple precision-engineered vaccine candidates that are effective against pathogens of interest. The developed platform technology can provide rapid vaccine design and manufacture and overcome critical bottlenecks of existing vaccine technologies regarding the speed of response, manufacturability, functionality, and stability.

Professor Bernd Rehm, Director of the Centre for Cell Factories and Biopolymers at Griffith University’s Institute for Drug Discovery, said: “HSSA’s investment in this project, and the facilitation of a national collaboration, is key to addressing an unmet need for protection against biowarfare threats and infectious diseases in Australia.”

“There are currently no vaccines approved for melioidosis and tularaemia, and only one approved vaccine for Q Fever,” Professor Rehm said.“The development and potential manufacture of an innovative vaccine candidate could be made possible by the collaborative network of experts involved in this project.”Mark W. Womack, CEO of BioCina, said: “BioCina is honoured to be the manufacturing partner for this innovative project, aimed at providing greater sovereign health protection in Australia.”

HSSA’s General Manager, Dr Felicia Pradera, said: “This technology is a perfect fit for the Medical Countermeasures portfolio. A novel vaccine platform technology that protects against biowarfare agents with high efficacy and safety, as well as overcoming current technology constraints including stability and cold chain dependency, and can be used in a rapid response pipeline against emerging threats, is a key capability in ensuring Australia’s health security.

“The Medical countermeasures program has been an enduring priority theme of Defence’s investment in game-changing technologies, and health security is also increasingly being acknowledged as a key component of national security,” Dr Pradera said.

AI Platform Will Alert Warfighters of Probable Exposure Before Symptoms Emerge

AiRANACULUS®, a private, Massachusetts-based technology company providing state-of-the-art Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) solutions, announced that it has received a U.S. Department of Defense contract for a prototype software system to provide warfighters with predictive early warning of exposure to chemical and biological threats.

Under its contract with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, AiRANACULUS will demonstrate an AI-based platform to alert warfighters of probable exposure. The platform will leverage existing wearable device technology to capture and assess basic signs of bodily function such as heart rhythms, respiration rates, and oxygen levels. AiRANACULUS will apply a variety of deep learning and other artificial intelligence techniques to those vital signs to make high confidence predictions of which individuals were likely exposed to chemical and/or biological threats, providing early warning before larger exposure. The platform will also be capable of differentiating and accounting for confounding assessment factors such as exercise, sleep deprivation and other common bodily stressors, minimizing false positive results.

"Exposure to chemical or biological agents may not be perceived until it's too late," said Dr. Kakali Bandyopadhyay, Chief Scientist to AiRANACULUS. "We believe our combination of leading-edge AI techniques with low-cost wearable devices can significantly improve the ability to rapidly identify, alert and treat at-risk personnel, even in challenging field environments."

In addition to improving protection of front-line warfighters, the AiRANACULUS software platform has significant potential public health applications, including proactive sampling and assessment of hospital patient vital signs, tracking and controlling the spread of infectious diseases, and predictive in-home preventive care.

This effort was sponsored by the Government under Other Transactions Number W81XWH-15-9-0001

For more information, please visit http://www.airanaculus.com.

About AiRANACULUS

AiRANACULUS (http://www.airanaculus.com) is at the forefront in Intelligent RF and Networking Solutions for applications ranging from Space to Smart Cities. The company has assembled the world's leading experts to provide algorithms, reference architectures and products in signal processing, cross-layer analysis, cybersecurity, and networking to create spectrum aware technologies capable of re-configuring radio and sensor systems for optimal performance in congested and contested environments.