recombinant heparin

Recombinant heparin is an engineered glycosaminoglycan (polysaccharide) developed as a sustainable and safer alternative to animal-derived heparin. It functions as a potent anticoagulant by binding to and enhancing the activity of antithrombin III (ATIII), which in turn inactivates key coagulation factors such as thrombin (Factor IIa) and Factor Xa. This production method, often involving genetically engineered mammalian cells (like CHO cells or mastocytoma cells) or bacterial fermentation, aims to mitigate risks associated with animal-sourced heparin, such as supply shortages, contamination, and variability, while also offering the potential to engineer improved properties like reduced heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT).

Other names

bioengineered heparinrHS