Desmoteplase - Thrombolytic plasminogen activator

Desmoteplase is a plasminogen activator in phase III trials at PAION, Forest and Lundbeck for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. PAION is also developing the drug candidate for the treatment of pulmonary embolism. Desmoteplase is a genetically engineered version of a clot-dissolving protein found in the saliva of the vampire bat Desmodus rotundus. It possesses high fibrin selectivity, allowing it to dissolve a clot locally without affecting the blood coagulation system, which is thought to potentially reduce the risk of intracranial bleeding as compared to less fibrin-specific plasminogen activators. In the U.S., desmoteplase has received fast track designation for the treatment of ischemic stroke beyond the 3-h time window.