The U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense (USAMRICD) is the DoD’s lead laboratory for the medical chemical defense research and medical management of chemical casualties.

USAMRICD researches toxin mechanisms of action, molecular structures, and pharmaceutical interventions. Research using protein biomarkers and enzymatic interdiction is regularly conducted as they examine the effects of all types of chemical agents and work to develop countermeasures.

Core competencies available include biochemistry, molecular biology, animal model development and testing, microbiology, aerobiology, virology, genomics, proteomics, toxicology, veterinary medicine, human medicine, physiology, pharmacology, cell biology, immunology, and a full range of chemical and biological analytical technologies.

USAMRICD also trains and educates numerous medical personnel in the medical management of chemical casualties.

The Institute’s growing national and international customer base includes other government agencies, academia, pharmaceutical companies and commercial enterprises. To fulfill this expanding mission, the USAMRICD has established an Office of Consultative Services (OCS) which offers fee-based consultations.

Countermeasures developed by USAMRICD include: TestMate Cholinesterase Kit, Nerve Agent Antidote Kit, M291 Decontaminating Kit, Pyridostigmine, Convulsant Antidote Nerve Agent, Multichambered Autoinjector, and SERPACWA.

USAMRICD is organized under the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC), with approximatley 300 employees, including researchers and support personnel.