haptoglobin

Haptoglobin is a plasma-derived protein therapeutic developed and marketed by the Japan Blood Products Organization (JBPO). It serves as a high-affinity scavenger for free hemoglobin, which is released into the plasma during hemolytic events. Free hemoglobin is toxic and can cause significant oxidative stress and organ damage, particularly acute kidney injury due to hemoglobinuria. Haptoglobin binds to free hemoglobin to form a stable haptoglobin-hemoglobin complex that is too large for renal filtration and is instead cleared by the liver via the CD163 receptor. The drug is approved in Japan for the treatment of hemolytic disorders, specifically to prevent renal failure and other complications associated with extracorporeal circulation (e.g., during cardiac surgery) and massive blood transfusions.

Brand names

Haptoglobinハプトグロビン

Other names

Human HaptoglobinHp