Antithrombin Drug in Development

This type of clot can break apart, travel up the leg and through the heart, and lodge in the lungs, causing blockage of an artery, known as pulmonary embolism. The drugs currently used to treat this condition are heparin and warfarin, but both have drawbacks. Heparin requires intravenous administration and blood-level monitoring. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, or low platelet count, is the most common serious drug reaction in hospitals. Warfarin, on the other hand, has a very small therapeutic window and its use can result in serious drug interaction problems.

The new antithrombin drug, MPC-0920, was developed by Myriad Genetics, Inc. (Salt Lake City, UT, USA; www.myriad.com), which notes that it is rapidly nearing completion of the preclinical data. "MPC-0920 is an intriguing compound in a vitally important therapeutic area,” said Adrian Hobden, Ph.D., president of Myriad Pharmaceuticals, Inc. "We look forward to completing the preclinical data package for submission to the FDA [U.S. Food and Drug Administration] this fiscal year.”