A virtual Emergency scientific consultation on Andes Virus medical countermeasures (MCM) R&D is convened by WHO's R&D Blueprint and CORC (led by UKHSA) to review current evidence and set immediate priorities for coordinated research, including diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccine development.
Scientists are conducting clinical trials for a pill called HOPO 14-1, which has the potential to remove radioactive particles from the bodies of individuals exposed to radiation in the event of a nuclear accident or attack. The pill, inspired by bacteria's ability to transport iron, acts as a chelator and can bind to radioactive metals like uranium and plutonium, safely eliminating them from the body. Unlike previous treatments, HOPO 14-1 can be taken orally and remains effective even when administered up to 48 hours before or seven days after radiation exposure. The pill could be a significant advancement in medical countermeasures against nuclear threats and could also have applications in removing other toxic metals from the body.