Research on and generation of a decavalent equine Antitoxin counteracting deliberate botulinum neurotoxin attacks – X-BAT

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNT) are known as the most toxic agents for humans in the world. Intoxication occurs by ingestion of the BoNT as well as by its inhalation or uptake through damaged skin. BoNTs have been intended to be used as bio-weapons in military conflicts or terrorist attacks. Vaccination is ethically not justified due to the low number of natural botulism cases in industrialized countries and the widespread, highly successful use of BoNT as pharmaceutical agent. Therefore, for the protection of civilian people in France and Germany against deliberate release of any BoNT and independency from other non-EU states it is very important to intensify the research on a therapeutic product for treatment of BoNT intoxications. This proposal describes the Franco-German X-BAT consortium that is aiming at filling this serious gap employing latest research and state-of-the-art methods. The objective of this proposal is to explore new means for the antigen production of known BoNT serotypes as well as essential research on recently discovered BoNT serotypes as antigens. Subsequently, new routes in the production of sufficient volumes of life saving BoNT antitoxin against all known BoNT serotypes will be explored. Beside in vivo qualification of the antitoxins being produced,animal replacement methods will be developed, , to reach a significant reduction in usage of lab-animals during the project as well as for future production campaigns.