FREDERICK, Md. (AP) - A Frederick-based division of Computer Sciences Corp. has won a Defense Department contract to make an enzyme that may help protect people from chemical warfare agents such as Sarin.

The two-year contract awarded to DVC LLC is worth up to $19.6 million, Computer Sciences said Wednesday. DVC will lead a collaborative effort with Baxter International Inc., of Deerfield, Ill., to develop a manufacturing process for the enzyme, called butyrylcholinesterase, the companies said. 

The enzyme, nicknamed BioScavenger, is found in human blood plasma. It has been shown to inhibit certain chemical nerve agents such as Sarin, Soman and VX, the companies said.

They said it would be used in a phase 1 clinical trial.

The contract marks DVC's expansion into treatments for exposure to chemical warfare agents, DVC President Terry Irgens said. DVC also has received federal funds to work on vaccines against the botulinum bacteria and Venezuelan equine encephalitis,

Baxter was chosen because its Baxter Healthcare Corp. subsidiary is a leader in the development and manufacturing of plasma-derived therapeutics, the companies said.