fesomersen

Fesomersen is a ligand-conjugated antisense oligonucleotide (LICA ASO) designed to selectively inhibit the expression of coagulation factor XI (FXI), a protein produced in the liver that plays a key role in the coagulation pathway. The drug uses triantennary N-acetyl galactosamine (GalNAc) conjugation to target hepatocytes via asialoglycoprotein receptors, enhancing delivery and potency compared to unconjugated ASOs. Fesomersen binds specifically to FXI mRNA, leading to its degradation by ribonuclease H1 and thus reducing FXI protein synthesis. This mechanism aims to prevent thromboembolic events with minimal risk of increased bleeding, making it an attractive anticoagulant candidate for patients at risk of thrombosis, including those with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis. Fesomersen was discovered and initially developed by Ionis Pharmaceuticals and has been evaluated in clinical trials conducted by Bayer[1][2][3][5][6].

Brand names

fesomersen sodium

Other names

fesomersenIONIS FXI-LRxIONIS-FXI-LRxIONIS-FXILRx