CCACBWA SIGNS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH TURKISH PARTNER FOR GROUNDBREAKING CHEMICAL DEFENSE RESEARCH

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LAGOS, NIGERIA – March 2026 – The Center for Countermeasures Against Chemical and Biological Warfare Agents (CCACBWA) is pleased to announce the formalization of a major international research collaboration through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Prof. Dr. Levent Kenar, Chairman of the CBRN Defence Policy Development Society in Ankara, Turkey. This strategic partnership unites Nigerian and Turkish scientific expertise in pursuit of a common goal: advancing the development of novel medical countermeasures against chemical warfare agents. The collaboration is structured around a joint proposal submitted to the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) under Broad Agency Announcement HDTRA1-25-5-0001, Thrust Area 1: Fundamental Science for Chemical and Biological Defense. The Project: SodaSulphaneocobalamin The research initiative, titled "SodaSulphaneocobalamin: A Novel Cobalt(III)-Polysulfide Platform for Broad-Spectrum Neutralization of Chemical Warfare Agents — Fundamental Mechanistic Studies and Preclinical Validation," seeks to explore and validate a promising new compound capable of neutralizing a range of chemical threats. Key objectives of the project include: Elucidating the fundamental mechanism of SodaSulphaneocobalamin against chemical warfare agents. Conducting comprehensive pharmacokinetic and toxicokinetic profiling. Validating efficacy in military-relevant large animal models (specifically swine and murine models). Developing field-deployable formulations compatible with existing autoinjector platforms and aligned with NATO/OPCW medical doctrine. Generating comprehensive data packages to support future regulatory approval. A Partnership of Complementary Expertise Under the terms of the MOU, CCACBWA will serve as the lead institution, with Dr. Olatunji Nozeem Salako acting as Principal Investigator. CCACBWA will oversee the project's scientific direction, primary liaison with DTRA, compound synthesis, formulation development, and data integration. Prof. Dr. Levent Kenar brings decades of specialized expertise to the collaboration. His responsibilities will include leading critical studies such as dose-response relationships, cobalt biodistribution analysis via ICP-MS, sulfur species kinetics using LC-MS/MS, and long-term safety evaluations. He will also contribute to doctrinal alignment with NATO STANAG 2871 and OPCW guidelines. If funded, the project anticipates a three-year duration, with Prof. Kenar's institution receiving a subaward to support personnel, consumables, and research activities in Turkey. Leadership Commentary Speaking on the partnership, Dr. Olatunji Nozeem Salako stated: "This MOU represents a significant milestone for CCACBWA and for Nigerian scientific engagement on the global stage. By combining our expertise in compound synthesis with Prof. Kenar's advanced analytical capabilities, we are building a transcontinental bridge to address some of the most pressing challenges in chemical defense. We are proud to lead this initiative and look forward to the impactful science that will emerge from this collaboration." Prof. Dr. Levent Kenar added: "I am delighted to formalize our collaboration with CCACBWA. This partnership brings together complementary strengths from Nigeria and Turkey. Together, we can advance fundamental science and contribute to global security by developing robust, evidence-based countermeasures against chemical threats. I am confident that our joint efforts will yield significant scientific and practical outcomes." Commitment to Excellence and Ethics The collaboration is founded on a shared commitment to good scientific practice, regulatory compliance, and the highest ethical standards. All research involving animals will be conducted following approval from relevant Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUC) in both Nigeria and Turkey, in full compliance with applicable laws and international conventions. About CCACBWA The Center for Countermeasures Against Chemical and Biological Warfare Agents (CCACBWA), based in Lagos, Nigeria, is dedicated to advancing research and development of countermeasures against chemical and biological threats. The Center focuses on innovative science to protect public health and enhance national and global security. For media inquiries, partnership opportunities, or further information, please contact: Dr. Olatunji Nozeem Salako Principal Investigator Center for Countermeasures Against Chemical and Biological Warfare Agents Email: ccacbwalagos@proton.me Prof. Dr. Levent Kenar, M.D., Ph.D. Chairman, CBRN Defence Policy Development Society Ankara, Turkey Email: Ikenarmd@gmail.com

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