Recombinant heparin made in cells to reduce HIT
Official title: Activities and Biophysical Properties of Heparins, Engineered to Reduce HIT
Funded at Tega Therapeutics, INC. · NIH-11313776 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new, cell-made heparin variant is being tested to lower the risk of HIT while providing effective blood-thinning.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tega Therapeutics, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $498,086 |
| NIH project number | 1R43HL184653-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11313776 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals requiring anticoagulant therapy who are at risk for HIT or have limited access to current heparin supplies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not needing anticoagulation or those with contraindications to heparin would not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project aims to create heparin using engineered cells so the drug can be produced without relying on pig intestines. Researchers will modify a biosynthetic pathway in MST cells to generate heparan sulfate with anticoagulant properties similar to pharmaceutical heparin, and they will further adjust the pathway to reduce HIT risk. The work focuses on translating a complex fermentation and purification process into a safer, more reliable product for patients who need blood-thinning therapy. The study includes development steps that assess safety and quality, aiming to support future clinical testing and potential patient use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive a safer, reliably produced heparin with a lower risk of HIT.
How similar studies have gone: Previous efforts have shown that engineered biosynthetic heparins can approximate the properties of pharmaceutical heparin, but reducing HIT risk remains a key challenge.
Where this research is happening
-
Tega Therapeutics, INC.
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Glass, Charles Alexander — Tega Therapeutics, INC.
- Study coordinator: Glass, Charles Alexander
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Developing a new way to produce heparin using engineered cells
This study is working on a new way to make heparin, a medicine that helps prevent blood clots, using specially designed cells, so that patients can have a safer and more reliable supply without relying on animals.
-
Developing a treatment for GM1 gangliosidosis
This study is looking at a new way to help people with GM1 gangliosidosis by testing a special treatment that delivers a missing enzyme directly to the brain, hoping to make life better for those dealing with the challenges of this condition.
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.