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Military-Backed French Biotech Brings Ricin Antidote
France has authorized Ricimed, the first antibody-based treatment specifically indicated for acute ricin intoxication, providing clinicians with a targeted option beyond supportive care for exposure to one of the most lethal naturally occurring toxins.
Fabentech is a French biopharmaceutical company specializing in medical countermeasures against biological threats and infectious diseases.
The polyclonal antibody technology used in the development of Ricimed has received marketing authorization in France as a treatment for ricin poisoning. Ricin is a highly toxic natural substance that can cause death within hours to a few days of exposure.
Supported by the Ministry of Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs (Directorate General of Armaments [DGA] and Armed Forces Health Service) in France, Ricimed is the first approved antidote for ricin poisoning, a condition for which treatment was previously limited to supportive measures alone.
Historical Incident
One incident, in particular, remains etched in espionage history. On September 7, 1978 in London during the Cold War, Bulgarian dissident writer Georgi Markov, living in exile, was struck by the umbrella of a passer-by while waiting at a bus stop. He felt a slight sting. Four days later, he died in the hospital due to a sudden and unexplained illness. An autopsy revealed that he had been poisoned by a tiny metal pellet implanted at the tip of an umbrella containing ricin, a lethal toxin. The legend of the “Bulgarian umbrella,” later invoked in other assassination attempts, was born.
Since then, although Markov remains the only known individual to have been killed by ricin poisoning, this theoretically extremely toxic substance, which can be manufactured relatively easily from castor beans, a widely available plant, has continued to fascinate authors of thrillers and spy novels.
Numerous works of fiction depict characters who succumb to ricin poisoning. The toxin is notably portrayed as a favored weapon of the main character in the hit television series Breaking Bad.
However, ricin is not confined to the realm of science fiction. For several years, authorities in various countries have feared that extremist groups could carry out attacks using ricin. The threat has been taken particularly seriously since 2018, when a clandestine ricin laboratory operated by members of the Islamic State was dismantled in Germany. Since then, several similar attack plots have been thwarted.
This context triggered a race among major powers to develop an effective antidote as quickly as possible. In this effort, Fabentech has risen to a challenge.
“Having demonstrated its ability to target and then neutralize ricin before it causes irreparable damage, Ricimed is a treatment that works based on polyclonal antibodies and compensates for the absence of a vaccine or specific treatment,” Fabentech said in a press release.
The polyclonal antibody technology used by Fabentech offers potential for the development of antidotes against bioterrorist attacks and for the treatment of many infectious diseases.
Ricimed contributed to the deployment of a European health shield against intentional biological threats in France.
Military Backing
Speaking to Le Figaro, France’s oldest national newspaper, Fabentech CEO Sébastien Iva explained that ricin disrupts the body by halting cell function, while noting several other drug candidates in development at the firm.
Typically, the lungs sustain fatal damage. Our treatment interrupts this toxic process. In animals administered the antidote, we observed pulmonary function recovery, allowing survival.
Given that the possibility of terrorist attacks using ricin is considered a national security issue, Fabentech benefited from the support by the Ministry of the Armed Forces and the DGA and lasted nearly a decade of research and development work.
The granting of marketing authorisation was also supported by the French Armed Forces and welcomed by the French Minister of the Armed Forces, Catherine Vautrin, who previously served as France’s Minister of Labour, Health, and Solidarity.
“Supporting the development of companies in France capable of manufacturing antidotes against certain biological agents helps guarantee the operational superiority of our armed forces. Developing and producing such drugs when they do not yet exist on the market is also serving the nation and the public interest,” she said.
Although the threat posed by ricin remains hypothetical, Fabentech reports a strong interest from potential clients, with many countries seeking protection against possible bioterrorist attacks.
The DGA had already placed an order for several doses of Ricimed for deployment in France. For optimal effectiveness, the antidote must be administered within 6 hours of poisoning. Iva confirmed that multiple countries had already expressed interest in acquiring the antidote.
This story was translated from JIM, part of the Medscape Professional Network.
A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.
France has authorized Ricimed, the first antibody-based treatment specifically indicated for acute ricin intoxication, providing clinicians with a targeted option beyond supportive care for exposure to one of the most lethal naturally occurring toxins.
Fabentech is a French biopharmaceutical company specializing in medical countermeasures against biological threats and infectious diseases.
The polyclonal antibody technology used in the development of Ricimed has received marketing authorization in France as a treatment for ricin poisoning. Ricin is a highly toxic natural substance that can cause death within hours to a few days of exposure.
Supported by the Ministry of Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs (Directorate General of Armaments [DGA] and Armed Forces Health Service) in France, Ricimed is the first approved antidote for ricin poisoning, a condition for which treatment was previously limited to supportive measures alone.
Historical Incident
One incident, in particular, remains etched in espionage history. On September 7, 1978 in London during the Cold War, Bulgarian dissident writer Georgi Markov, living in exile, was struck by the umbrella of a passer-by while waiting at a bus stop. He felt a slight sting. Four days later, he died in the hospital due to a sudden and unexplained illness. An autopsy revealed that he had been poisoned by a tiny metal pellet implanted at the tip of an umbrella containing ricin, a lethal toxin. The legend of the “Bulgarian umbrella,” later invoked in other assassination attempts, was born.
Since then, although Markov remains the only known individual to have been killed by ricin poisoning, this theoretically extremely toxic substance, which can be manufactured relatively easily from castor beans, a widely available plant, has continued to fascinate authors of thrillers and spy novels.
Numerous works of fiction depict characters who succumb to ricin poisoning. The toxin is notably portrayed as a favored weapon of the main character in the hit television series Breaking Bad.
However, ricin is not confined to the realm of science fiction. For several years, authorities in various countries have feared that extremist groups could carry out attacks using ricin. The threat has been taken particularly seriously since 2018, when a clandestine ricin laboratory operated by members of the Islamic State was dismantled in Germany. Since then, several similar attack plots have been thwarted.
This context triggered a race among major powers to develop an effective antidote as quickly as possible. In this effort, Fabentech has risen to a challenge.
“Having demonstrated its ability to target and then neutralize ricin before it causes irreparable damage, Ricimed is a treatment that works based on polyclonal antibodies and compensates for the absence of a vaccine or specific treatment,” Fabentech said in a press release.
The polyclonal antibody technology used by Fabentech offers potential for the development of antidotes against bioterrorist attacks and for the treatment of many infectious diseases.
Ricimed contributed to the deployment of a European health shield against intentional biological threats in France.
Military Backing
Speaking to Le Figaro, France’s oldest national newspaper, Fabentech CEO Sébastien Iva explained that ricin disrupts the body by halting cell function, while noting several other drug candidates in development at the firm.
Typically, the lungs sustain fatal damage. Our treatment interrupts this toxic process. In animals administered the antidote, we observed pulmonary function recovery, allowing survival.
Given that the possibility of terrorist attacks using ricin is considered a national security issue, Fabentech benefited from the support by the Ministry of the Armed Forces and the DGA and lasted nearly a decade of research and development work.
The granting of marketing authorisation was also supported by the French Armed Forces and welcomed by the French Minister of the Armed Forces, Catherine Vautrin, who previously served as France’s Minister of Labour, Health, and Solidarity.
“Supporting the development of companies in France capable of manufacturing antidotes against certain biological agents helps guarantee the operational superiority of our armed forces. Developing and producing such drugs when they do not yet exist on the market is also serving the nation and the public interest,” she said.
Although the threat posed by ricin remains hypothetical, Fabentech reports a strong interest from potential clients, with many countries seeking protection against possible bioterrorist attacks.
The DGA had already placed an order for several doses of Ricimed for deployment in France. For optimal effectiveness, the antidote must be administered within 6 hours of poisoning. Iva confirmed that multiple countries had already expressed interest in acquiring the antidote.
This story was translated from JIM, part of the Medscape Professional Network.
A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.
France has authorized Ricimed, the first antibody-based treatment specifically indicated for acute ricin intoxication, providing clinicians with a targeted option beyond supportive care for exposure to one of the most lethal naturally occurring toxins.
Fabentech is a French biopharmaceutical company specializing in medical countermeasures against biological threats and infectious diseases.
The polyclonal antibody technology used in the development of Ricimed has received marketing authorization in France as a treatment for ricin poisoning. Ricin is a highly toxic natural substance that can cause death within hours to a few days of exposure.
Supported by the Ministry of Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs (Directorate General of Armaments [DGA] and Armed Forces Health Service) in France, Ricimed is the first approved antidote for ricin poisoning, a condition for which treatment was previously limited to supportive measures alone.
Historical Incident
One incident, in particular, remains etched in espionage history. On September 7, 1978 in London during the Cold War, Bulgarian dissident writer Georgi Markov, living in exile, was struck by the umbrella of a passer-by while waiting at a bus stop. He felt a slight sting. Four days later, he died in the hospital due to a sudden and unexplained illness. An autopsy revealed that he had been poisoned by a tiny metal pellet implanted at the tip of an umbrella containing ricin, a lethal toxin. The legend of the “Bulgarian umbrella,” later invoked in other assassination attempts, was born.
Since then, although Markov remains the only known individual to have been killed by ricin poisoning, this theoretically extremely toxic substance, which can be manufactured relatively easily from castor beans, a widely available plant, has continued to fascinate authors of thrillers and spy novels.
Numerous works of fiction depict characters who succumb to ricin poisoning. The toxin is notably portrayed as a favored weapon of the main character in the hit television series Breaking Bad.
However, ricin is not confined to the realm of science fiction. For several years, authorities in various countries have feared that extremist groups could carry out attacks using ricin. The threat has been taken particularly seriously since 2018, when a clandestine ricin laboratory operated by members of the Islamic State was dismantled in Germany. Since then, several similar attack plots have been thwarted.
This context triggered a race among major powers to develop an effective antidote as quickly as possible. In this effort, Fabentech has risen to a challenge.
“Having demonstrated its ability to target and then neutralize ricin before it causes irreparable damage, Ricimed is a treatment that works based on polyclonal antibodies and compensates for the absence of a vaccine or specific treatment,” Fabentech said in a press release.
The polyclonal antibody technology used by Fabentech offers potential for the development of antidotes against bioterrorist attacks and for the treatment of many infectious diseases.
Ricimed contributed to the deployment of a European health shield against intentional biological threats in France.
Military Backing
Speaking to Le Figaro, France’s oldest national newspaper, Fabentech CEO Sébastien Iva explained that ricin disrupts the body by halting cell function, while noting several other drug candidates in development at the firm.
Typically, the lungs sustain fatal damage. Our treatment interrupts this toxic process. In animals administered the antidote, we observed pulmonary function recovery, allowing survival.
Given that the possibility of terrorist attacks using ricin is considered a national security issue, Fabentech benefited from the support by the Ministry of the Armed Forces and the DGA and lasted nearly a decade of research and development work.
The granting of marketing authorisation was also supported by the French Armed Forces and welcomed by the French Minister of the Armed Forces, Catherine Vautrin, who previously served as France’s Minister of Labour, Health, and Solidarity.
“Supporting the development of companies in France capable of manufacturing antidotes against certain biological agents helps guarantee the operational superiority of our armed forces. Developing and producing such drugs when they do not yet exist on the market is also serving the nation and the public interest,” she said.
Although the threat posed by ricin remains hypothetical, Fabentech reports a strong interest from potential clients, with many countries seeking protection against possible bioterrorist attacks.
The DGA had already placed an order for several doses of Ricimed for deployment in France. For optimal effectiveness, the antidote must be administered within 6 hours of poisoning. Iva confirmed that multiple countries had already expressed interest in acquiring the antidote.
This story was translated from JIM, part of the Medscape Professional Network.
A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.
Military-Backed French Biotech Brings Ricin Antidote
Military-Backed French Biotech Brings Ricin Antidote