Heparin/heparan sulphate-based drugs
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Updated: Jun 7, 2026

Rapid Point-of-Care Assay of Enoxaparin Anticoagulant Efficacy in Whole Blood
Published on: October 12, 2012
Neha S Gandhi1, Ricardo L Mancera
1Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Western Australian Biomedical Research Institute, School of Biomedical Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6845, Australia.
Abstract:
Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are an untapped source of novel chemical entities and, therefore, offer exciting new opportunities for the development of novel drug molecules because of their unique physical and biological properties. Advances in the functional understanding of GAG-protein interactions are enabling the development of GAG mimetics for use as anti-angiogenic, anti-metastatic, anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant and anti-thrombotic agents. Many anti-thrombotic molecules, such as Fondaparinux and Idraparinux, have been successful in clinical trials, and a new generation of heparin mimetic oligosaccharides and small molecules are currently in different stages of clinical development. In particular, the recent increased activity in the development of new mimetics by altering the composition of sulphated GAGs is very encouraging. This article reviews structurally defined heparin-mimetic oligosaccharides and small molecules currently in development or clinical trials.
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