HHS partners with Proniras to develop nerve agent-induced seizure countermeasure

Until now, a deadly effect of certain chemical weapons has been unstoppable seizures that can lead to death or brain damage, but a partnership between the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Proniras Corporation seeks to develop a drug treatment to end those effects.

HHS’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) will work with the Seattle-based biopharmaceutical company under the 9-month, approximately $3 million budget focused on developing Tezampanel. The goal will be to create a treatment for seizures that have not been halted by benzodiazepines, a class of drugs that includes the stockpiled medication diazepam, also known as valium.

“Nerve agents are the most toxic and rapidly acting of the known chemical warfare agents,” Rick Bright, director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), said. “Although the Strategic National Stockpile includes anti-seizure medications, those medications may not be completely effective in stopping all seizures. To save more lives and improve long-term health for survivors, a second-line anti-seizure medication is needed.”

Studies conducted by Proniras will use rats to determine Tezampel’s efficacy in stopping seizures even after previous drug treatments. If successful, Proniras could apply to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approval of Tezampel as a seizure-treating drug, as well as other commercial uses.

Recent studies have shown Tezampanel to be an effective seizure treatment in rats with extremely toxic soman nerve agent poisoning, HHS said.