Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, and highly toxic gas. Inhalation of CO results in insufficient oxygen supply in the blood stream because CO binds to hemoglobin in a way that prevents the bonding of oxygen. Carbon monoxide poisoning is often the result of exposure to motor vehicles or other gas-powered tools, heaters, or cooking equipment. In the U.S., roughly 50,000 cases of carbon monoxide poisoning occur each year. The problem is a significant one in developing counties, with about one million cases each year. The company believes that Oxycyte may be beneficial in mitigating the heart and brain damage caused by CO poisoning. Oxycyte does not bind to CO but it does carry a lot of oxygen. In treating a victim of CO poisoning, the company believes that Oxycyte would carry to critical tissues the oxygen that hemoglobin cannot during the period that is needed to detoxify the hemoglobin.  The company plans to file an IND for this indication in due course.