This molecule, which in structure and immunogenicity is almost identical to ricin, provides the foundation to the development of a highly-effective antibody based ricin therapy. Twinstrand's lead molecule in oncology, TST10088, is currently being tested in clinical trials. (TTI) has invented and developed novel ways to convert ricin into non-toxic recombinant ricin toxoid. The threat of a potential ricin attack is viewed as imminent and countermeasures must be found.

Currently, there is no approved therapy to treat ricin poisoning. Consequently ricin has been classified as a Category B select agent by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Given its widespread availability, high toxicity, and ease of extraction, ricin is viewed as a very probable terrorist threat. Ricin is a potent toxin and it is estimated that less than a milligram is sufficient to kill a human. It is readily extracted from the beans with relatively little technical skill. Ricin is a highly toxic protein produced by the castor bean plant. The major objective of this application is to develop a practical and highly effective post-exposure countermeasure to ricin.

Ricin antidote