Clinical trials are beginning to test the effectiveness of Bioscavenger, an injected form of butyrylcholinesterase that protects against organophosphorous nerve agents such as sarin, soman and VX (cholinesterase inhibitors). Butyrylcholinesterase is a protein found in human blood plasma that has in pre-clinical research been shown to inhibit toxicity from nerve agents. (original link)
Butyrylcholinesterase can be recovered in very small amounts from human plasma. The ultimate form of Bioscavenger will be a recombinant product that can be produced in large quantities. More information here: Enzyme may protect against nerve agents
Filed under: biotechnology, chemical weapons, military
