Heparin

Clinical Need

Anticoagulants such as heparin, or so-called “blood thinners,” are the first line therapeutic strategy for preventing myocardial infarction, stroke, peripheral arterial occlusive disease and pulmonary embolism. The therapeutic options for cardiac anticoagulation treatments currently are unfractionated and low molecular weight heparin (“LMWH”) and warfarin.

When heparin is prescribed over warfarin, it is because it produces rapid onset of anticoagulant activity and has a short physiological half-life. Heparin therapy also demonstrates a significantly lower incidence of drug interaction. These properties allow for uncomplicated dose adjustments and contribute to heparin’s relatively large margin of safety.

Product Benefit

Heparin currently is administered by injection and has a broad range of applications, including cardiovascular and vascular surgery, angioplasty and diagnostic cardiac catheterizations, acute coronary syndromes (unstable angina, acute myocardial infarction), orthopedic surgery, stroke, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and sepsis.

Development Status

Heparin is in the preclinical stage.