Dr Neyu Ni presents data from a recent study at a press conference during the 2013 ASH Annual Meeting.

Using purified snake venom, a team of researchers developed a unique new anti-thrombotic compound known as anfibatide, which is designed to target a specific receptor on the surface of platelets that is instrumental to the formation of blood clots (glycoprotein Ib complex, or GPIb). Researchers initially assessed the investigational compound’s clot-busting effects in several in vitro laboratory tests, and then evaluated functional activity in mouse models. 

After reaching the conclusion that anfibatide may be effective as an anti-thrombotic drug, the team then evaluated its safety and efficacy in a Phase I clinical trial. When tested in 94 healthy volunteers, the compound effectively prevented platelets from sticking together specifically through the GPIb complex, but did not otherwise affect platelet count or significantly prolong bleeding. At the doses investigated, no anti-anfibatide antibodies were detected, and the treatment caused no serious adverse events or deaths among study participants.