UNIVERSAL ANTIVENOM

A broadly applicable antivenom treatment is critical to protecting warfighters from animal envenoming in austere environments. The objective of this research project is to apply a cell membrane cloaked nanoparticle platform to neutralize the hemolytic component found in many animal venoms. In the Phase I technical report, we demonstrate that biomimetic nanoparticles consisting of polymeric cores enclosed in red blood cell membrane bilayers can spontaneously absorb and neutralize a number of protein toxins that are known to attack and disrupt cellular membranes. The nanoparticle platform can be safely administered as it is comprised entirely of biocompatible and biodegradable materials. In the direct-to-Phase II proposal, we aim to obtain the data necessary for nanosponges regulatory approval as an antivenom platform. The formulations efficacy against several well-known animal venoms, its safety, and its pharmacokinetics and biodistributions will be assessed.