Development of a novel anticoagulant therapy

Anticoagulant treatments are required for a number of indications including the treatment and reduction of thrombosis occurrence and prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. Existing therapies pose a bleeding risk however, and in 70% of atrial fibrillation patients the risk is considered too great to justify prophylactic use of anticoagulants. New treatments with minimal, or no, likelihood of bleeding are required.

Novel, non thrombin-based, approaches to anticoagulation are being pioneered at Leeds. A number of novel targets have been identified which may prove to be viable targets for therapeutic intervention with decreased bleeding risk.

We supported several successful applications to internal proof-of-concept funding schemes to further the drug discovery project. The projects generated the data required for a successful application to a large drug development funding scheme.