A fully synthetic alternative to animal-sourced heparin
Official title: Development of dekaparin to replace animal-sourced heparin
Funded at Glycan Therapeutics Corporation · NIH-11193794 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is making a lab-made blood thinner to replace heparin from pigs so patients can get safer, more consistent anticoagulation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Glycan Therapeutics Corporation NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Raleigh, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 1, 2017 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $991,212 |
| NIH project number | 5R44HL139187-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11193794 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People who need low molecular weight heparin for treatment or prevention of blood clots, perioperative anticoagulation, or other medical uses could be candidates for future trials of this product.
✕Less likely to help
People who do not need anticoagulation or who are well managed on other approved blood thinners would not benefit from this work, and individuals with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia may not be helped by a heparin-like agent.
What this research studies
The team is using a chemoenzymatic approach to synthesize 'dekaparin,' a homogeneous glycan that works like low molecular weight heparin but is produced without animal tissue. They will manufacture dekaparin under GMP conditions, complete formulation steps, and prepare regulatory submissions needed for an IND. The company also plans a 505(b)(2) regulatory strategy to shorten the pathway toward clinical use. The product is designed to be safe for people with kidney problems and to be neutralized by protamine when needed.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could have access to an animal-free, more consistent, and potentially safer anticoagulant with a reduced risk of contamination or supply shortages.
How similar studies have gone: Related synthetic anticoagulants (for example, fondaparinux) and prior chemoenzymatic efforts show the approach is promising, but producing a full synthetic LMWH for clinical use remains relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Glycan Therapeutics Corporation
Raleigh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pagadala, Vijayakanth — Glycan Therapeutics Corporation
- Study coordinator: Pagadala, Vijayakanth
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.