The nuclear threat has not disappeared: Ukraine stockpiles medicines for radiation sickness
21 April 21:23
Ukraine, as it turned out, is still waiting for a nuclear incident in the war with Russia. This may be evidenced by information published by the Israeli edition of The Times of Israel about the purchase of a batch of drugs for radiation sickness by a Ukrainian company, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
Thus, the Ukrainian cord blood bank Hemafund has entered into an exclusive agreement with the Israeli biotechnology company Pluri to provide Ukraine with the latest therapy for radiation damage.
According to the agreement, Ukraine will create a stock of the unique drug PLX-R18, which helps with acute radiation syndrome (H-ARS), a dangerous condition that occurs when exposed to high doses of ionizing radiation. Without proper treatment, this condition can lead to death within 4-8 weeks.
As part of the cooperation, Ukraine will receive an initial supply of 12,000 doses of the drug, which is enough to treat 6,000 victims. Hemafund will ensure the storage and delivery of these drugs to medical facilities throughout Ukraine in the event of an emergency.
“Our cryostorage and logistics network allow us to effectively support the introduction of PLX-R18 as a potentially important tool for radiation emergency preparedness in Ukraine,”
– said Yaroslav Isakov, founder of Hemafund.
The recent Russian drone strike on a protective shelter built to contain radiation at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant is the backdrop for this agreement, which has emphasized the urgency of preparedness for possible radiation incidents.
Читайте нас у Telegram: головні новини коротко
How the drug works
The drug is based on stem cells derived from the placenta. Once injected into the muscles, it stimulates the recovery of all three types of blood cells produced in the bone marrow: white, red blood cells and platelets, which is critical in radiation damage.
Clinical trials have shown a significant increase in the survival rate after radiation exposure – from 29% in the control group to 97% in the treated group. When used as a prophylactic agent, survival rates increased from 4% to 74%.
But there is no license yet
The Ukrainian side, together with its Israeli partners, also plans to promote clinical trials for the registration of PLX-R18 and obtain the necessary permits from the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.
The cooperation between Hemafund and Pluri is expected to bring both parties more than $100 million. However, the main value of the agreement is to ensure the national security of Ukraine and the readiness of the medical system to respond to radiation threats.
It is worth noting that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has already approved an application for the study of this drug for the treatment of radiation sickness, which indicates its promise and effectiveness in combating the effects of radiation exposure.
Читайте нас у Telegram: головні новини коротко
