Bites and Stings

Efficacy signal observed in subgroup of victims treated within five hours of bite reinforces critical importance of timely treatment and need for a field therapy that could improve patient outcomes Globally, 75% of deaths from venomous snakebites occur before the victim can reach appropriately-equipped medical care CORTE MADERA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ophirex, Inc., a Public Benefit Corporation developing an oral treatment to address the unmet medical needs of snakebite victims globally, today announced that BMJ Global Health has published data from the company’s BRAVO trial evaluating oral varespladib. Varespladib is a small synthetic molecule that directly inhibits secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2), an enzyme that is present in more than 95% of all snake venoms. The oral form is being developed as an early intervention treatment for patients and has potential to be the first-ever field therapy for snakebite envenoming, providing treatment at “time-of-bite.” The article in BMJ Global Health details results from BRAVO (Broad-spectrum Rapid Antidote: Varespladib Oral for snakebite), a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase 2 study designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of oral varespladib. It enrolled 95 patients in the U.S. and India who were administered either varespladib or placebo in conjunction with the standard of care, which included antivenom in 93 of the 95 patients. “The BRAVO trial set out to do something no one has done before. In addition to being the first study to evaluate a direct toxin inhibitor for the treatment of snakebites, BRAVO was the first clinical trial to enroll patients bitten by any species of snake across two continents, including some of the world’s deadliest species,” said Timothy Platts-Mills, M.D., MSc, Chief Medical Officer of Ophirex. “While this Phase 2 study did not meet its primary endpoint, a promising signal of benefit was seen in the group of patients receiving treatment within five hours of a bite, reinforcing varespladib’s potential as an early treatment option and suggesting initial utility as a field treatment.” For the early treatment subgroup, clinically important differences were observed across important outcomes, such as lower illness severity over the first week, higher rates of complete recovery, and improved patient-reported function in patients receiving varespladib. Results from the BRAVO trial also suggest that varespladib is safe and well tolerated for the treatment of snakebite, adding to a robust body of safety data for this therapeutic candidate. “Antivenom, the current standard of care for snakebites, has several limitations, including the need to match antivenom to specific snake types, the risk of anaphylaxis, and the need to be administered intravenously in a medical setting. Yet we know that 75% of deaths due to venomous snakebites occur before the victim ever reaches the hospital. Even in those patients who survive, early treatment leads to better outcomes,” said Charles J. Gerardo, M.D., Professor and Chair for the Department of Emergency Medicine at Duke University and BRAVO trial investigator. “These data represent an encouraging advancement for patients bitten by snakes with the potential to fill a significant unmet need as a real world, early treatment before a patient reaches a healthcare facility.” “India has the greatest snakebite burden in the world, and 97% of snakebite deaths in the country occur in rural areas far from medical care and current treatments. A novel therapeutic molecule such as oral varespladib in addition to standard of care has the potential to enable treatment at the time of bite or en route to a more advanced facility and could be an important improvement in care for patients and medical systems alike,” said Dr. Suneetha D.K., Professor and Head of Internal Medicine, Mysore Medical College and Research Institute, Mysuru and a BRAVO trial investigator. “These findings support Ophirex’s vision to advance varespladib initially as an oral field treatment available at the time of the bite. We look forward to applying key learnings from this clinical trial to ongoing studies that address the long unmet need for a field treatment,” said Matthew R. Lewin, MD, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer and Founder of Ophirex, who first published the concept of this molecule as a field treatment in snakebite in 2016. The manuscript, titled “Oral Varespladib for the Treatment of Snakebite Envenoming in India and the United States (BRAVO): A Phase 2 Randomised Clinical Trial,” is available online here . About Ophirex Ophirex is a Delaware Public Benefit Corporation developing a first-of-its-kind oral treatment to address the global unmet need of venomous snakebites. Worldwide, there are approximately 500,000 cases of snakebite envenoming resulting in death or permanent disability each year. While antivenom has been the standard of care to treat these bites for more than 100 years, it can only be administered in a hospital setting. This poses a significant challenge as 75% of deaths from venomous snakebites occur before the victim can reach appropriately equipped medical care. Ophirex is advancing its investigational treatment, varespladib, as a broad-spectrum treatment for snakebite in both oral and intravenous formulations with human and veterinary applications. Ideally taken immediately following a bite, it is intended to provide a bridge to survival between bite and arrival to the hospital. If successful, this early intervention is anticipated to result in improved overall outcomes for patients at risk of death and long-term disability from snakebite. The company has presented some of the BRAVO data at scientific conferences. Ophirex is concluding a separate Phase 2 study to evaluate IV-to-oral dosing of varespladib for snakebite envenoming based on learnings from BRAVO. For more information, visit . Contacts Media Contact: Emma Yang Health+Commerce emma@healthandcommerce.com 908-391-7197

Pet Toxicology Experts Warn Bites Can Be Deadly, But Difficult to Diagnose MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Halloween is a time for scary things -- ghosts, snakes, cobwebs and oh, so many spiders. The toxicology experts at Pet Poison Helpline reviewed case data from multiple suspected black widow spider bites, and found that while many encounters were reported, diagnosing an actual bite can be difficult. Continue Reading "Although spiders are front and center during Halloween, they are a danger throughout the year." Post this Spider : Black Widow "Although severe reactions to black widow spider bites are relatively rare in humans, pets can be more adversely effected, especially cats," said Dr. Renee Schmid, a senior veterinary toxicologist and director of Veterinary Medicine at Pet Poison Helpline. "With the thick hair most pets have, it is difficult to find an actual bite wound, and so your veterinarian often has to base the diagnosis on symptoms, rather than knowing an actual cause. This is not just limited to spider bites. Because our pets can't tell us what's wrong with them or how they feel, we often develop a treatment plan based on the symptoms we're able to observe along with information regarding the pet's environment and history rather than a confirmed diagnosis." One pet owner knew for sure that his cat Elsy had come in contact with an arachnid because she produced physical evidence. "We recently received a call from a Reno-area pet owner who found a black widow spider in his kitten's vomit," Dr. Schmid said. "Fortunately, the spider's body was intact, making it easy to identify, and it didn't appear to have bitten his furry little friend before being eaten. If the kitten had been bit by the spider, it might have been a different outcome." Often, a pet is diagnosed as having been bitten by a spider when in fact their symptoms had another cause. Sometimes pet owners never really know what happened but are relieved that the pet is back to good health. "My cat Ice Cream crawled under a shed in my yard, and when she came out, she was unsteady and was having difficulty breathing," said John Ellsworth of Vancouver, Canada. "They initially thought she was bitten by a black widow spider, and started treatment. After further examination, however, they 100% ruled out a spider bite because they found a stinger in her throat. It was probably a hornet or bee." Spider venom can cause a host of reactions, including swelling, inflammation, pain, necrosis of the skin, bruising, vomiting, itchiness, fever, abnormal clotting and even organ failure. In severe reactions, the pet can die. Horses and cats are very susceptible to black widow venom and one bite can be detrimental. "Although spiders are front and center during Halloween, they are a danger throughout the year," Dr. Schmid explained. "Most people think that spiders disappear in cold locations, when in fact they go into a state known as overwintering. It is similar to when a bear hibernates. Your pets can still find them in barns, sheds and other hiding places, or even your home. If your pet comes in contact with a venomous spider, they can be in danger and you should contact your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline immediately." Pet Poison Helpline created Toxin Tails to educate the veterinary community and pet lovers on the many types of poisoning dangers facing pets, both in and out of the home. All the pets highlighted in Toxin Tails have been successfully treated for the poisoning and fully recovered. About Pet Poison Helpline Pet Poison Helpline®, your trusted source for toxicology and pet health advice in times of potential emergency, is available 24 hours, seven days a week for pet owners and veterinary professionals who require assistance treating a potentially poisoned pet. Per incident and subscription service options are available. We are an independent, nationally recognized animal poison control center triple licensed by the Boards of Veterinary Medicine, Medicine and Pharmacy providing unmatched professional leadership and expertise. Our veterinarians and board-certified toxicologists provide treatment advice for all species, including dogs, cats, birds, small mammals, large animals and exotic species. As the most cost-effective option for animal poison control care, Pet Poison Helpline's fee of $85 per incident includes follow-up consultations for the duration of the case. The company also offers pethelpline(SM) and pethelplinePRO(SM) subscription services directly to pet lovers. Based in Minneapolis, Pet Poison Helpline is available in North America by calling 800-213-6680. Additional information can be found online at . Contact: Curtis Steinhoff Pet Poison Helpline® (602) 300-8466 [email protected] SOURCE Pet Poison Helpline WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED

5 tips for relief from a board-certified dermatologist ROSEMONT, Ill., Sept. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Itchy skin can be irritating, especially an itch that doesn't go away. There are many potential causes for itchy skin like common skin conditions such as eczema, shingles, hives, psoriasis, or bug bites, or it could be a sign of a contagious disease, like scabies or ringworm. While these causes could mean a visit to a board-certified dermatologist, there are options for self-care at home to provide itch relief. "Our first instinct is to scratch that pesky itch, but in reality, that could be making things worse by irritating your skin further," said Susan Massick, MD, FAAD, clinical associate professor of dermatology at The Ohio State University. "Everyone experiences itchy skin from time to time, but relief can be possible by following a few easy steps at home." To help soothe itchy skin, Dr. Massick and the American Academy of Dermatology recommend following these tips: Apply a cool, damp washcloth to itchy skin for about 5-10 minutes, or until the itch goes away. Take a warm colloidal oatmeal bath. This can soothe your skin, especially if the cause of your itch is chickenpox, hives, poison ivy, or sunburn. Apply a "fragrance-free" moisturizer when your skin is still damp after bathing or whenever it itches. Soaps, detergents, and other products should also be "fragrance-free" as fragrance can irritate the skin. If your moisturizer doesn't relieve the itch, apply a cooling agent, like menthol or calamine. You can also try an over-the-counter cream or gel that contains pramoxine, a topical pain reliever. Sometimes keeping these in the refrigerator also helps. Wear loose-fitting, cotton clothes. These help you stay cool and won't irritate your skin, like wool and other rough-feeling fabrics can. Avoid extreme temperature changes, as these can make itch worse. Keep your house cool during the summer and use a humidifier and avoid high heat in the winter. "If you do not find relief after trying these at-home tips, or if you notice changes to your skin, such as redness, swelling, rash, bumps, or sores, a board-certified dermatologist can diagnose the underlying condition," said Dr. Massick. "Often, itching can have more than one cause, and together we can work toward a treatment plan that offers the best results, healthier skin, and, ultimately, symptom relief." These tips are demonstrated in "How to relieve itchy skin," a video posted to the AAD website and YouTube channel. This video is part of the AAD's "Your Dermatologist Knows" series, which offers tips people can use to properly care for their skin, hair, and nails. To manage itchy skin and learn more tips, partner with a board-certified dermatologist. To find a board-certified dermatologist in your area, visit aad.org/findaderm. More Information Itchy Skin Resource Center 10 Reasons Your Skin Itches and How to Get Relief AAD B-Roll Library About the AAD Headquartered in Rosemont, Ill., the American Academy of Dermatology, founded in 1938, is the largest, most influential and most representative of all dermatologic associations. With a membership of more than 21,000 physicians worldwide, the AAD is committed to advancing the diagnosis and medical, surgical, and cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair, and nails; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education and research in dermatology; and supporting and enhancing patient care because skin, hair, and nail conditions can have a serious impact on your health and well-being. For more information, contact the AAD at (888) 462-DERM (3376) or aad.org. Follow @AADskin on Facebook, TikTok, Pinterest and YouTube and @AADskin1 on Instagram. SOURCE American Academy of Dermatology WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED