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A High-Throughput Blood Esterase Panel Assay

Award Information

Agency:
Department of Defense 		Branch:
N/A 		Award ID:
 Program Year/Program:
2011 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
C2-0348 		Solicitation Year:
2010 		Solicitation Topic Code:
CBD10-108 		Solicitation Number:
2010.1
Small Business Information
Agave BioSystems, Inc.
P.O. Box 100 Ithaca, NY -
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 2
Fiscal Year: 2011
Title: A High-Throughput Blood Esterase Panel Assay
Agency: DOD
Contract: W81XWH-10-C-0063
Award Amount: $750,000.00
 

Abstract:

Organophosphorus chemical warfare nerve agents (OP-CWA) are attractive to terrorist groups and rogue states as an inexpensive and accessible technology for chemical warfare. OP-CWA and organophosphate pesticides cause severe neurological symptoms and death by inhibiting the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE); the resulting excess acetylcholine accumulates and overstimulates the human or animal body. Other esterases and organophosphatases in the blood either bind (butyrylcholinesterase, BChE) or catalytically degrade (paraoxonase, PON1) OP-CWA. Therefore, it is critically important to be able to quickly monitor the human blood complement of OP-CWA enzymes to assess both susceptibility and current condition. For military and civilian clinical use, a high-throughput, minimally invasive assay system is needed to quickly and accurately screen large numbers of soldiers/agricultural workers/first responders for OP-CWA or OP-pesticide exposure. The currently available WRAIR assay is high-throughput, uses a minimal amount of whole blood, and is sensitive and accurate for AChE and BChE levels. An assay that additionally measures PON1 and albumin esterase activities relevant to OP degradation and/or binding is greatly needed to more fully assess OP-CWA or -pesticide susceptibility for individuals at risk.

Principal Investigator:

Julien Fey
Senior Scientist
(607) 272-0002
jfey@agavebio.com

Business Contact:

Noe Salazar
President
(512) 373-8601
nsalazar@agavebio.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

Agave BioSystems, Inc.
P.O. Box 100 Ithaca, NY -

EIN/Tax ID: 161551819
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: Yes
HUBZone-Owned: Yes