antithrombin-heparin conjugate

Antithrombin-heparin conjugate (ATH) is an investigational, covalent conjugate of heparin and antithrombin (antithrombin III) developed by researchers at McMaster University. The heparin is linked directly to antithrombin through its terminal aldose residue via imine formation followed by Amadori rearrangement, without any spacer or linker. As a protein-polysaccharide conjugate, ATH acts as a potent anticoagulant that targets thrombin (Factor IIa) and inactivates Factor Xa. The heparin moiety of the conjugate activates the linked antithrombin and can also catalytically activate free circulating antithrombin in plasma. ATH exhibits a longer half-life than heparin, inhibits clot-bound thrombin more effectively than free antithrombin plus heparin, and has demonstrated superior antithrombotic effects with less blood loss in preclinical models. It is being investigated for the prevention and treatment of thrombosis, cardiopulmonary bypass, myocardial infarction, and as a surface coating to improve the hemocompatibility of medical devices such as microfluidic lung assist devices for neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.

Other names

antithrombin-heparinantithrombin-heparin complexantithrombin-heparin covalent complexATHcovalent antithrombin-heparincovalent antithrombin-heparin complex