Thrombosis

The mortality rate of patients affected by deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism is high, and their acute and long-term care is costly. Patients at increased risk of these conditions include those undergoing orthopaedic surgery and those suffering from atrial fibrillation, respectively. Both groups are in great need of improved and safe anti-coagulant therapy. Current treatments are associated with serious bleeding complications and require daily administration.

BioInvent is carrying out the initial development of TB-402 as an anti-coagulant in conjunction with its partner ThromboGenics. The antibody drug is expected to be administered as a single dose in the surgical setting, or on a monthly basis for chronic conditions. The antibody's novel mode of action means that the risk of bleeding and other side effects such as liver toxicity are likely to be low.

About 1.5 million knee and hip replacement procedures and 1 million acute cases of pulmonary embolism occur annually in the seven largest pharmaceutical markets. The number of cases is rising at a relatively rapid pace owing to an aging population and increasing obesity. The market for anti-thrombotics in 2006 was worth US $14 billion (Datamonitor 2007).