Glycotek developing oral alternative to heparin
November 12th, 2008 by Jennifer Walker-Journey
A drug development company, Glycotek, is establishing a laboratory at the Hershey Center for Applied Research (HCAR) in Hummelstown, Penn., to focus on a long sought after oral alternative to heparin to treat deep vein thrombosis and other thrombotic conditions, as well as cancer, according to Business Wire.
Heparin is a blood thinner that is routinely used before certain types of surgery or other procedures to prevent clotting. It also is widely used for patients with chronic thrombotic conditions. Heparin is administered intravenously, which requires constant monitoring of doses and in-patient hospital stays. An oral alternative could reduce the need for expensive hospital stays.
About 2 million Americans each year suffer from thrombotic conditions and another 200,000 die each year from stroke, myocardial infarctions or pulmonary emboli as a result of thrombosis, according to the report.
The heparin will use glycosaminoglycan (GAG) technology to develop the oral alternative.
“The introduction of an oral heparin into clinical medicine would be a significant development and would have commercial, therapeutic and economic potential. We are pleased that Glycotek will take on this important challenge while at HCAR,” said Laura Butcher, Executive Director of HCAR, in the Business Wire report.
Glycotek will pursue both business and research and development activities at HCAR. Building upon its activities already in practice at its New York location. HCAR provides state-of-the-art facilities and high-value business and research resources.