Novel selective anti-platelet and clot-specific anticoagulant strategies targeting conformational states of GPIIb/IIIa [ 2006 - 2008 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof Karlheinz Peter (Principal investigator)

Brief description The inhibition of platelets and the inhibition of coagulation factors are among the most widely used drugs in medicine and provide major benefits for numerous patients. Prevention and treatment of thrombosis, emboli, stroke and heart attack are examples of the many diseases where anti-platelet and anticoagulant drugs are administered. However, the downsides of these drugs are bleeding complications, which can result in death or disability. The consequences of these drug-associated bleeding complications are also a major financal burden for our health care system. Thus, progress towards therapeutic strategies with less bleeding complications is highly sought-after. The proposed project aims to generate new antibody-based agents for platelet inhibition. One group of these agents do only block platelets when they are activated. Furthermore, these agents allow an enrichment of potent inhibitors of coagulation factors at the site of the clot. Thus, these inhibitors should predominatly act at the site where they are needed. At the same time the overall concentration of inhibitors of coagulation factors can be kept low and the functions of non-activated platelet can be left intact. Overall, the proposed project aims for the development of novel anti-platelet and anticoagulant strategies with high anti-thrombotic efficacy and low bleeding risks.

Funding Amount $AUD 496,517.61

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant