Breakthrough: unique biomaterial against stent thrombosis in heart patients
Maastricht, July 2018- VitaK Innovation in Life Science, a spin-off of Maastricht University, has developed an innovative cocktail that can prevent thrombosis and calcification of coronary stents.
Coronary arteries and stents
“Small discoveries and innovations can cause big changes and can make a difference in health care. A few years ago, the scientific team of VitaK has discovered in a number of studies that vitamin K has antithrombotic and anti-calcification effects and filed several patent applications for this. From many scientific studies, it is known that thrombosis and calcification often occur as a complication in patients who receive a coronary stent. Based on this, VitaK has successfully completed a research project to add vitamin K in biomaterial of coronary stents for heart patients”, says Drs. Mehrdad Omidvar, CEO of VitaK.
“Coronary artery disease cause more than 7 million deaths worldwide each year. In the Netherlands, yearly approximately 45.000 patients undergo a procedure in which a blocked coronary artery is re-opened. In 90% of these cases also a stent is placed. If such a stent is blocked again by stenosis or thrombosis, the risk of a new heart attack occurs with a mortality rate of 20%. Unfortunately, stent-thrombosis (clot formation) and -calcification still occur. Long-term anticoagulation therapy is therefore needed, increasing the risk of major bleedings. We expect that stent thrombosis and calcification do not occur anymore with the VitaK stent”, explains Dr. Kleikers, president R & D of VitaK.
Preliminary results are promising: the prototype has proven that it is possible to implement vitamin K in biomaterial with a slow release. VitaK is now looking for a strategic partner to further investigate and develop this innovative concept.
‘VitaK stent’
Under supervision of Dr. Kleikers, the VitaK team is now further investigating the addition of a drug-cocktail in stents. The VitaK cocktail should locally prevent the complex process of clot formation and stenosis of a stent. The cocktail consists of vitamin K and other active substances that will affect the process from different angles, leading to a stronger effect. In the context of ‘personalised medicine’, the ingredients of the cocktail can be further tailored to the individual patient.
This innovative cocktail will open new doors for heart patients, drastically decreasing, and hopefully even preventing the risk of stent thrombosis and -calcification and the need for long-term anticoagulation therapy. Future research will be aimed at the best possible composition of the VitaK cocktail and long-term effects of the VitaK stent in patients.
VitaK
Worldwide VitaK is the number one research centre in measuring MGP and vitamin K and is also a world-leading provider of laboratory (CRO) services and medical products (IVD/ POC). VitaK has its own R&D department specialized in developing high-quality innovative medical devices. The VitaK Biotech division is dedicated to developing tests for early stage detection of diseases and personalized treatment options.
Note for the press: for more information you can contact Dr. P. Kleikers, MD, President R&D of VitaK. Phone +31 (0)43-3885926 or (preferably) via email: p.kleikers@vitak.com
