LUNA INNOVATIONS INCORPORATED — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: SB142-004

Description

Special Operations Forces that typically deploy in austere areas in the AFRICOM and PACOM are associated with an increased risk of envenomation. Current treatment uses species-specific or polyvalent antivenin that is generated from the sera of animals immunized with whole venom, necessitating the correct identification of the venomous species and continuous injection of large volume of antibodies at an ICU-capable medical facility with increased risk of life-threatening complications. Also the worldwide manufacture and regulation of antivenom are problematic with very few approved by the FDA. There is a clear capability gap to protect deployed soldiers against venom exposure. Luna proposes to develop bioinspired synthetic nanoparticles as plastic antidotes with antibody-like affinity and epitope-recognizing specificity for use as broadly applicable antivenom. The technical feasibility will be demonstrated by rational design, synthesis, and in vitro testing with the end state of the Phase I being identified lead candidates with demonstrated toxin neutralization efficiency for further optimization and preclinical testing in Phase II.