Thrombolytic success for ThromboGenics
ThromboGenics, a biotechnology company focused on discovery and development of therapeutics for vascular diseases, has announced the successful completion of a Phase I clinical trial of its novel therapeutic, microplasmin, a thrombolytic agent with potential neuroprotective properties.
ThromboGenics has created, on a proprietary basis, the first stabilised and readily manufactured form of the microplasmin molecule, a recombinant DNA-derived protein, which is a truncated form of the natural human protein plasmin
The Phase I study employed an ascending-dose, placebo-controlled, randomised, double-blind design with 59 healthy, human volunteers. Results of the trial demonstrated that microplasmin was safe and well tolerated across a wide range of doses.
Laboratory assessments also demonstrated a favourable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile. 'The results represent a significant advance in one of ThromboGenics two lead clinical programs,' stated the company's founder and CEO Desire Collen, MD, PhD, a world-renowned cardiovascular research expert. 'We therefore plan to proceed with phase II clinical development of microplasmin in patients with thromboembolic diseases.'