Reducing the risk of surgery

The Invention

One of the major risks associated with surgery is stroke.

In order to minimise the risk of stroke, patients are normally given anti-coagulants like heparin which prevent the blood from forming dangerous clots that could dislodge and block blood flow through arteries, potentially resulting in  a pulmonary embolus or stroke (when the clots gets stuck to the lungs or brain, respectively).

Our hospital-based researchers have developed specific antibodies that attach to an existing anti-coagulant drug to optimise its action, yet minimise toxicity and its most common undesired side-effect, increased bleeding.

Key Benefits 

·         Antibodies have been designed and conjugated to a well-known, anticoagulant drug (Lepirudin)

·         With many years of clinical data Lepirudin is now off patent, opening the doors for much cheaper generic drugs.

·         The specifically designed antibodies only target sites where blood is beginning to clot

·         Increased specificity with decreased amount of the drug required (which can sometimes be toxic)

·         Improved drug efficacy.