Determining the Need and Compatibility of a Metalloprotease Inhibiter with Broad Spectrum Envenomation Treatment

SEQUENTIAL SBIR PHASE II TECHNICAL OBJECTIVES AND APPROACH All activities of this proposed Sequential SBIR II are directed toward determining the incremental benefit of adding a metalloprotease inhibitor to varespladib for improving recovery and return to duty time following snakebite envenoming. The work will also advance the TRL of the metalloprotease inhibitor in order to support a SBIR III effort, should that be needed and desired. The long-term goal of the Ophirex program is to provide a broad-spectrum, stable, oral treatment for snakebite envenoming to prevent loss of life and severe injury in warfighters and civilian victims of snakebite across the globe. Technical Objectives Outline 1. Investigate the metalloprotease inhibitor plus varespladib combination on in vivo toxicity and pharmacokinetics 2. Understand the relative benefit of metalloprotease inhibition with varespladib to improve return to duty time and improve quality of life following snakebite 3. Determine the readiness level of lead metalloprotease inhibitor(s) to support clinical studies and commercialization