Development of synthetic heparin to protect liver graft from ischemia reperfusion injury during transplantation

Summary

This STTR Phase II project aims to develop dekaparin, a carbohydrate-based reagent, to protect liver grafts from ischemia-reperfusion injury during organ recovery and preservation, thereby increasing the utilization of extended criteria donor (ECD) livers.

What they want

The overall goal is to increase the utilization of ECD livers by reducing ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. Specific aims for Phase II include: 1) evaluating dekaparin’s effect against IR injury in a deceased donor porcine liver transplantation model; 2) evaluating dekaparin’s effect on tumor recurrence after deceased donor rat liver transplantation; 3) dekaparin use in an ex vivo human discarded liver model with machine perfusion; and 4) determination of dekaparin concentration in biological samples from Aims 1-3. The project intends to prepare for a pre-submission meeting request by the end of the project period and apply for a STTR Phase IIb award.

Deliverables

Preclinical studies evaluating dekaparin's effect against IR injury in porcine liver transplantation model
Preclinical studies evaluating dekaparin's effect on tumor recurrence in rat liver transplantation model
Data from dekaparin use in an ex vivo human discarded liver model with machine perfusion
Determination of dekaparin concentration in biological samples from Aims 1-3
Preparation for a pre-submission meeting request

Technical requirements

Carbohydrate-based reagent (dekaparin)

Risks & flags

Incumbent: our team