HOPO 14-1

HOPO 14-1 is an investigational oral drug designed to remove radioactive contaminants and toxic heavy metals from the body. Its active ingredient is the hydroxypyridinone ligand 3,4,3-LI(1,2-HOPO), a powerful octadentate chelating agent that binds selectively to actinides and lanthanides such as uranium, neptunium, plutonium, americium, curium and gadolinium. By forming stable complexes with these metals in vivo, HOPO 14-1 enables their rapid excretion through natural elimination pathways. Preclinical studies have shown it to be up to 100 times more effective than DTPA (diethylenetriamine pentaacetate) at binding and removing certain radioactive elements[1][2][6]. Unlike existing treatments that require intravenous or nebulized administration (e.g., DTPA), HOPO 14-1 is formulated as an oral capsule for easier deployment in mass casualty or emergency scenarios[2][5]. The drug was developed at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory by Drs. Rebecca Abergel and Ken Raymond; it is being commercialized by HOPO Therapeutics with SRI International conducting clinical trials[6][5]. In addition to its primary indication for radionuclide decorporation following nuclear accidents or dirty bomb attacks[8], it is also being studied for treatment of other forms of heavy metal toxicity including lead poisoning and gadolinium deposition disease from MRI contrast agents[6][9].

Other names

Gadolinium chelator hopo 14-1