Ricin Vaccine Candidate Advances

There are currently no effective treatments, nor antidote for ricin poisoning
(Precision Vaccinations News)

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has exercised an option for the evaluation of RiVax® to fund additional animal efficacy studies.

The overall objectives of the contract are to advance the development of Soligenix's thermostabilization technology, ThermoVax®, in combination with the Company's ricin toxin vaccine, RiVax®, as a medical countermeasure to prevent the effects of ricin exposure.

According to the NIAID, there are currently no effective treatments for ricin poisoning. Because no antidote exists for ricin, the most important factor is avoiding ricin exposure in the first place.

The successful development of an effective vaccine against ricin toxin may act as a deterrent against the actual use of ricin as a biological weapon, and could be used in rapid deployment scenarios in the event of a biological attack.

The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that the lethal dose in humans is about the size of a grain of salt.

"The exercise of this option demonstrates the positive and productive collaboration between NIAID and the Soligenix team," stated Christopher J. Schaber, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of Soligenix.

"We look forward to accelerating our work with NIAID and engaging the FDA to advance the RiVax® program. We thank the NIAID team for its continued support and contribution to the Soligenix development program."

Ricin toxin is a lethal plant-derived toxin and potential biological weapon because of its stability and high potency, and the fact it is readily extracted from by-products of castor oil production.

Ricin comes in many forms including powder, mist or pellet. Ricin can also be dissolved in water and other liquids.

Ricin toxin illness causes tissue necrosis and general organ failure leading to death within several days of exposure. Ricin is especially toxic when inhaled. Ricin works by entering cells of the body and preventing the cells from making the proteins it needs. Without the proteins, cells die, which is eventually harmful to the entire body.

If health authorities suspect that people have inhaled ricin, a potential clue would be that a large number of people who had been close to each other rapidly developed fever, cough, and excess fluid in their lungs. These symptoms would likely be followed by severe breathing problems and possibly death.

 

Our Trust Standards: Medical Advisory Committee

Share