Thromboembolic disorders are major causes of morbidity and mortality in the Western societies. Anticoagulants are pivotal agents in the prevention and treatment of arterial and venous thrombosis. The limitations of currently approved anticoagulant drugs have prompted the search for new anticoagulants with better pharmacological profiles. EVAS Therapeutics, LLC has developed a series of recombinant fusion proteins, termed """"""""ANV-KPIs"""""""". These proteins possess the ability to target themselves to sites of thrombogenesis and exert powerful inhibition of coagulation enzyme/cofactor complexes on the membrane surfaces of thrombogenic cells without inducing a prolonged systemic anticoagulation, and thereby can potentially achieve a long-lasting antithrombotic effect with reduced risks for bleeding. We have selected the most potent molecule of the series, TAP-ANV, for further development.
The specific aims of this phase I proposal are: 1) Production of recombinant TAP-ANV by a simplified, improved process. We will use an improved fermentation method and a streamlined purification process to achieve production of >100 mg of high quality recombinant TAP-ANV per run;2) Dissection of the antithrombotic effect vs. bleeding tendency of TAP-ANV in mouse in vivo. The temporal relationship among the antithrombotic effect, tail vein bleeding time, and plasma levels of TAP-ANV will be determined to demonstrate that TAP-ANV can achieve thrombogenic site- directed antithrombotic effect by bolus injection without prolonged systemic hypocoagulation and bleeding;and 3) Assess PK/PD and effects of TAP-ANV on in vivo thrombosis in rabbits. We will obtain PK/PD parameters of TAP-ANV in rabbit, and determine whether they have superior efficacies compared to conventional anticoagulants in rabbit thrombosis models that simulate acute plaque rupture or surgical trauma to arteries and veins. The phase I studies will allow us to develop a scale-up process amendable for production of GLP materials, which are needed for safety/toxicity and clinical studies in the next stages of development. In addition, the antithrombotic effect vs. bleeding tendency of TAP-ANV in mice, the PK/PD parameters of TAP- ANV, and the therapeutic effect of TAP-ANV in rabbit arterial and venous thrombosis models will be determined. Based on positive data from these Phase I studies, we will propose a series of studies to obtain a more complete preclinical data package for IND filing in our Phase II application.

Public Health Relevance

Thromboembolic disorders are major causes of morbidity and mortality in the world. This project will conduct pre-clinical studies of a novel anticoagulant protein for the experimental treatment of arterial and venous thrombosis.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) - Phase I (R43)
Project #
1R43HL093848-01A1
Application #
7670600
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-CVS-K (10))
Program Officer
Sarkar, Rita
Project Start
2009-07-01
Project End
2010-06-30
Budget Start
2009-07-01
Budget End
2010-06-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$167,481
Indirect Cost
Name
Evas Therapeutics, LLC.
Department
Type
DUNS #
143727191
City
Ballwin
State
MO
Country
United States
Zip Code
63021
Yeh, C-H; Chen, T-P; Wang, Y-C et al. (2013) Potent cardioprotection from ischemia-reperfusion injury by a two-domain fusion protein comprising annexin V and Kunitz protease inhibitor. J Thromb Haemost 11:1454-63
Liao, Mei-Hsiu; Jan, Tong-Rong; Chiang, Chao-Chih et al. (2011) Investigation of a potential scintigraphic tracer for imaging apoptosis: radioiodinated annexin V-Kunitz protease inhibitor fusion protein. J Biomed Biotechnol 2011:675701
Yen, Tzu-Chen; Wey, Shiaw-Pyng; Liao, Chang-Hui et al. (2010) Measurement of the binding parameters of annexin derivative-erythrocyte membrane interactions. Anal Biochem 406:70-9