RedHill Announces Collaboration with a Leading U.S. Academic Medical Center to Develop Opaganib as a Countermeasure Against Phosgene Inhalation Injury

Core Viewpoint - RedHill Biopharma has signed a collaborative research agreement with Duke University School of Medicine to conduct in vivo studies on opaganib as a potential treatment for phosgene inhalation injury, aiming for further development under the FDA's Animal Rule pathway to approval [1][2][4] Group 1: Phosgene Inhalation Injury - Phosgene is a toxic, colorless chemical used in industrial processes, identified by the EPA at 123 sites in the U.S. that could expose millions to potential harm [2][4] - Inhalation of phosgene can lead to severe respiratory injuries, including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), with no known approved antidote currently available [2][3][4] Group 2: Opaganib Overview - Opaganib is a first-in-class, orally administered sphingosine kinase-2 (SPHK2) selective inhibitor with potential applications in oncology, viral infections, inflammatory diseases, and chemical and nuclear/radioprotection [5][10] - The drug has shown antiviral activity against various viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 and Ebola, and has demonstrated safety and efficacy in multiple clinical studies [7][8] Group 3: Government Collaborations and Funding - Opaganib is being evaluated by several U.S. government programs for its potential as a medical countermeasure against various threats, including Acute Radiation Syndrome and Ebola [6][10] - Funding for these evaluations comes from agencies such as the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) [6]