Lyon has made a huge splash on the international scientific stage! According to BFM Lyon, the Lyon-based SME Fabentech, located in Saint-Priest, has developed the very first effective antidote against ricin poisoning, a highly toxic substance derived from the castor bean plant. Named Ricimed, this treatment is being presented by the government as a “world first,” both strategic and symbolic for French health sovereignty.
Ricin, a Silent and Deadly Threat
Behind this seemingly innocuous name lies one of the most feared poisons in the world.Ricin is especially dangerous when inhaled, causing pulmonary edema and acute respiratory failure that can lead to death in just a few days. For several years, it has been classified as one of the major bioterrorism threats due to its ease of production and dissemination, particularly through the air.
Since 2016, French authorities have been bracing for the worst. Researchers have been actively working on developing an antidote, fearing a bioterrorist attack aimed at sowing panic and destabilizing society. These fears aren't just theoretical: attempts to spread ricin have already been recorded, including one in Germany in 2023. So, you can imagine how the arrival of Ricimed changes everything!
A strategic collaboration between civilians and military
This success is the result of high-intensity teamwork. Ricimed was developed through close collaboration between public and private players, as well as military and healthcare sectors. The IRBA, the Army Biomedical Research Institute, had already designed a specific antibody.
cifique as well as a detection test for poisoning. Fabentech then transformed this scientific foundation into operational treatment.The first deliveries have already started in France, and the ambition is now international. Fabentech plans to export its antidote abroad, addressing a global health security challenge. Once again, Lyon shows that it doesn't just innovate for everyday comfort but also plays a key role in tackling global threats. When local science protects the world, we can only tip our hats.