Since the discovery of anthrax in Palm Beach County, this web site has received many messages asking the U-M to "release its protective agent against anthrax." Here are the facts:
In 1998, scientists at the U-M Center for Biologic Nanotechnology conducted research on nanoemulsions. In these experiments, the substance destroyed anthrax spores on surfaces and in laboratory mice exposed to the bacteria through a skin incision.
The "formula" for the substance is not the issue. This material is the result of a unique manufacturing process. Unless it is manufactured in a specific manner and unless appropriate quality controls are performed, the resulting mixture could be totally non-functional. Thus, providing this information would not be helpful and might actually lead to a false sense of security.
A private company called NanoBio currently is managing this project (see www.nanobio.com ). They are trying to accelerate approval from the Environmental Protection Agency to use the material for decontamination and cleaning.
While the initial studies with mice were encouraging, the substance has not been proven effective in people. Until clinical studies are conducted and approval from the Food and Drug Administration is obtained, no one can say whether the substance will prevent anthrax infection in people. NanoBio is applying for approval from the Food and Drug Administration to conduct clinical trials and hopes to begin these later this year.
Up-to-date information on anthrax is available on the Center for Disease Control web site at: www.bt.cdc.gov/Agent/Anthrax/Anthrax.asp
James R. Baker Jr., M.D.
Ruth Dow Doan Professor of Biologic Nanotechnology,
Director Center for Biological Nanotechnology
University of Michigan Medical School
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, 11 October 2001 - In light of concerns that have been raised about an attack with biological weapons against US civilians, NanoBio Corporation offers the following information and perspective.
The defense from an attack with biological weapons has three broad aspects: 1) detection of the threat and agent, 2) prophylactic medications or vaccines, and 3) bio-decon materials. Research by NanoBio's CSO, Dr. James R. Baker, Jr., conducted at the University of Michigan School of Medicine (UoM) has concentrated on developing remedies for aspects 2 and 3.
Concerning aspect 2, the research into a prophylactic medication, a human protective treatment, to protect people exposed to bio-attack pathogens (Anthrax, Ebola, etc.) has resulted in a "protective and immune system stimulant" applied topically to the skin as a cream and to the mucous membranes aa a nasal spray. This technology has shown significant potential to prevent infection with inhaled influenza virus using a mouse model. This research is funded through March 2002 by an agency of the Department of Defense (DoD) known as DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Programs Agency). Further testing is planned by the US Army Medical Command's Institute for Surgical Research pending additional funding from DARPA or DTRA (Defense Threat Reduction Agency).
Concerning aspect 3, the UoM research by Dr. Baker also has developed a remarkable bio-decon material to remove weaponized pathogens from surfaces, buildings, cars, clothing, etc. This technology is available today through UoM spin-off, NanoBio Corporation. The bio-decon material technology invented is that of "antimicrobial nanoemulsions" and it can be applied to skin and the environment without harmful effects. The classes of microbes eradicated are virus (e.g., Ebola), bacteria (e.g., Botulism), spores (e.g., Anthrax), and fungi (e.g., Aspergillus). The nanoemulsions also can be formulated to kill only one or two classes of microbes, as necessary.
A "broad-spectrum" nanoemulsion was tested on surfaces by the US Army (RestOps) in Dec 1999 for decontamination of Anthrax spore surrogates. It was tested again by RestOps in March 2001 as a chemical decontamination agent. All tests were successful. The fact that the nanoemulsion also functioned as a chemical decontamination material is an unexpected plus. Dr. Jane A. Alexander, acting DARPA Director, stated interest in this nanotechnology for purposes of bio-decon for the skin in her statement before the Senate Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities on 5 June 2001.
NanoBio is aware of the immediate security need for producing and stockpiling the bio-decon material and plans to license the specific technology to accomplish this. NanoBio has requested emergency funding from the U.S. government so that the deployment of both the human protective treatment medication and the bio-decon material can be accelerated.