HOPO Therapeutics secures $226M BARDA contract for heavy metal poisoning research

HOPO Therapeutics has secured a significant government contract valued at up to $226 million to advance the development of an oral antidote aimed at countering radiological threats and heavy metal poisoning. The funding, provided by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), will support the investigational studies of HOPO-101, including preparations for FDA submission as a treatment for radiological dangers and other heavy metals like lead.

HOPO-101 is positioned to become the first oral treatment for individuals exposed to radioactive heavy metals such as plutonium, americium, and curium. In cases of radiological or nuclear emergencies, HOPO Therapeutics believes that treatment with HOPO-101 would be the only feasible method to reduce the risk of radiation poisoning. The drug functions as a chelating agent, binding to heavy metals so they can be expelled from the body. The current treatment for radioactive poisoning involves a slow intravenous infusion, which is cumbersome and time-consuming.

Julian Rees, CEO and co-founder of HOPO Therapeutics, emphasized the efficiency of the chelating agent in speeding up the body's clearance of heavy metals during a disaster scenario, noting that the current standard of care is highly burdensome.

HOPO-101 is already undergoing a Phase 1 trial in healthy volunteers, funded separately by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. BARDA's financial backing is intended to progress the drug through early-stage and crucial studies in heavy metal poisoning. These pivotal studies will be conducted using animal models rather than human subjects, although pharmacology and safety studies will still be carried out in healthy volunteers.

The initial portion of the award amounts to $9.4 million. Rees explained that this initial funding is aimed at fully understanding the scope of HOPO-101’s capabilities, particularly concerning non-radioactive heavy metals. The research will explore the potential effectiveness of the pill in cases of lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic poisoning—all of which are prevalent in the environment and often lack effective treatments.

Rees highlighted that many heavy metals in the environment do not have adequate treatment options, underscoring the importance of this initial funding in addressing these gaps.