Most surgeries require carefully controlling bleeding and clotting — simultaneously reducing risks of blood clots and blood loss. However, the conventional anticoagulants surgeons commonly use provide a narrow treatment window, are associated with unpredictable side effects and typically lack a safe, specific antidote.

Thom LaBean and postdoc Abhichart Krissanaprasit, of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, have created functional RNA origami structures that act as effective anticoagulants. The RNA-based anticoagulants are more predictable and much easier to reverse — with safe, specific antidotes. The technology has the potential to reduce the risk of complications and decrease patients’ length of recovery time.

LaBean and Krissanaprasit have founded a startup company called Helixomer to pursue commercial development of the new drug. CIF support will be used to perform FDA-required animal trials, testing efficacy and pharmacokinetics prior to human trials.

More information: https://news.ncsu.edu/2020/07/chancellors-innovation-fund-supports-six-promising-projects/