OPHIREX, INC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: DHA18-002

Description

Snakebite is an occupational hazard for military personnel on every continent except Antarctica and an estimated 75% of fatalities from snakebite occur outside the hospital setting. Yet, no field antidote exists. Small molecule inhibition of snake venom sPLA2s and metalloproteases (svMP) will successfully treat most life- and limb-threatening snakebites without need for advanced treatment facilities, filling the critical therapeutic gap between bite and hospital. Rapid development and deployment of a broad-spectrum svMP inhibitor alone or in combination with other small molecule inhibitors of snake toxins, such as sPLA2 inhibitors (e.g. LY315920) will save lives and limbs of human and canine military personnel using the same formulations. Our strategy of repurposing small molecule therapeutics alone and in combination is an efficient means to lower barriers, speed clinical testing and commercialization of snakevenom agnostic therapeutics against a broad range of whole snake venoms. We have identified a strategy for identifying and advancing high potency, broad spectrum svMP and sPLA2 inhibitors alone and in combination for commercialization in both the human and veterinary markets for snakebite envenomation and swarming hymenoptera sting using the same formulations.