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Human Paraoxonase Bioscavenger for Nerve Agents

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Army
Contract: W81XWH-05-C-0023
Agency Tracking Number: A043-180-0989
Amount: $70,000.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: A04-180
Solicitation Number: 2004.3
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2004
Award Year: 2005
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2004-12-13
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2005-06-14
Small Business Information
P.O. Box 80010
Austin, TX 78708
United States
DUNS: 022552900
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: Yes
Principal Investigator
 Louis Hom
 Staff Scientist
 (607) 272-0002
 lhom@agavebio.com
Business Contact
 Noe Salazar
Title: President
Phone: (512) 671-1369
Email: nsalazar@agavebio.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

In this Phase I, Agave BioSystems proposes to develop a catalytic organophosphorus bioscavenger based on human paraoxonase 1 (PON1) for the protection of personnel against OP nerve agents. A catalytic bioscavenger that detoxifies multiple organophosphorus (OP) molecules by hydrolysis rather than a single OP molecule like Hu-BuChE greatly reduces the amount of protein required, making administration of the scavenger to large numbers of individuals safer and less expensive. PON1 is a serum protein found in humans and other animals which has been shown to catalytically inactivate paraoxon and other organophosphorus compounds. While the wild type human enzyme possesses too little activity to protect against large doses of OP agents, preliminary studies of chimeric PON1 mutants have identified a number of sequence changes that increase phosphotriesterase (PTE) activity significantly. A human PON1 (huPON1) with enhanced PTE activity could provide full protection against otherwise lethal exposures to OP agents and would still be compatible with the human immune system, allowing multiple doses to be administered.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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