nuclear-news

Drug against ionising radiation- a lucrative business?

appears to strengthen the body’s ability to recover from radiation exposure.

U.S. invests in drug to protect against radiation | Reuters, By Julie Steenhuysen, CHICAGO | Fri Sep 17, 2010 CHICAGO  – Tiny biotech Cleveland BioLabs Inc has won a $45 million contract from the Department of Defense to conduct clinical trials of a drug to prevent cell damage in the event of nuclear attack……

The drug works by interfering with a process of programed cell death called apoptosis — basically a form of cell suicide. This helps the body rid itself of damaged cells,

Fonstein said interfering with this process appears to strengthen the body’s ability to recover from radiation exposure.

The contract with the Defense Department will give the company $14.8 million to develop the drug. It includes an option for the government to spend $30 million on the drug if it wins U.S. regulatory approval…….”Unfortunately, we are living in a crazy world where the threat of radiation as a result of a nuclear terrorist attack or a nuclear accident at a nuclear power plant is real,” Fonstein said. “Obviously, it would be nice to have some countermeasures.”

U.S. invests in drug to protect against radiation | Reuters

September 17, 2010 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | business and costs, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear spin, radiation, radioactive