M118
M118 is a next-generation heparin product that we have rationally engineered to provide flexible supportive anticoagulant therapy to patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Among its key attributes:
- It is a potent inhibitor of multiple factors in the blood that lead to clot formation
- Its effects can be reversed or neutralized
- Preclinical data indicates that its anticoagulant activity could be monitored during a procedure by a physician
You cannot view all of the content in this section because JavaScript is disabled on your browser and/or you need to upgrade your Flash Player.
The need for improved heparin therapy in ACS
Approximately 1.9 million cardiac patients entering emergency rooms each year are treated with one of two heparin products, LMWHs or unfractionated herapin (UFH). LMWHs are frequently administered to patients whose severity of condition is undetermined. Emergency room doctors prefer LMWHs because they are efficient to administer through injection, and the anticoagulation effects are very predictable.
LMWHs have drawbacks, however, if a patient subsequently requires invasive therapy. In the event that the patient needs to undergo a procedure like angioplasty or bypass surgery, doctors must wait for the effects of the LMWHs to wear off. As a result, significant time can be lost, putting the patient at additional risk.
UFH is routinely administered for those cardiac patients requiring more urgent intervention, such as angioplasty or bypass surgery. This treatment option, while efficacious and reversible, has a high degree of unpredictable clinical activity and must be continually monitored. Thus, it can often be challenging to adjust UFH to fit a patient's specific needs.
M118 was tailored by Momenta to address the unmet medical needs across both types of ACS patients, either medically managed or requiring invasive treatment. Due to its unique combination of attributes, we believe M118 has the potential become the baseline heparin of choice to treat all patients diagnosed with ACS.