March 5, 2024 – Lawrence, KS – Design-Zyme LLC is proud to announce that it has been honored with a Performer Award from Wellcome Leap to help further their Untangling Addiction initiative.  This Wellcome Leap program aims to revolutionize the understanding and treatment of substance use disorders, addressing one of the most critical public health crises of our time.

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Design-Zyme has been selected for its cutting-edge work in developing and testing a novel poly drug vaccine designed to protect against the dangerous and increasingly prevalent street drug combinations such as "tranq-dope" that include xylazine as an additive.  This innovative vaccine represents a groundbreaking approach to tackling the opioid epidemic, particularly in response to the alarming rise of xylazine mixtures that have escalated the severity of overdose crises across the country.

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“Receiving the Performer Award from Wellcome Leap is a true honor,” said Dr. Peter Petillo CEO of Design-Zyme LLC. “We are committed to developing life-saving solutions to combat the growing threat of emerging drug combinations like tranq-dope. Our poly drug vaccine has the potential to provide a powerful defense against the effects of xylazine in drug cocktails, offering hope to individuals and communities deeply affected by substance use disorders.”

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The poly drug vaccine is being designed to neutralize the potent effects of substances of abuse.  As the abuse of xylazine, a veterinary tranquilizer not approved for human use, has surged in recent years, it has compounded the already severe opioid epidemic, particularly when mixed with opioids.  This new vaccine could play a crucial role in protecting vulnerable populations and reducing overdose deaths.

 

About Design-Zyme LLC

Design-Zyme LLC is a biotechnology company focused on creating innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing health challenges. The company leverages cutting-edge science and technology to develop novel vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostic tools, with a focus on addressing complex diseases and public health crises.

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About Wellcome Leap

Wellcome Leap is a nonprofit organization that builds and executes bold, unconventional programs designed to bring radical advancements in global health. By supporting high-risk, high-reward research, Wellcome Leap aims to accelerate breakthroughs that can improve the lives of millions worldwide.