Researchers at the University of Leuven and ThromboGenics have developed a novel therapeutic approach, showing that the inhibition of VPAC could stimulate the production of platelets. ThromboGenics has now identified and selected a lead antibody against VPAC to enter preclinical development.
VPAC is a receptor present at the surface of bone marrow cells called megakaryocytes, which, when mature, produce platelets. Research published in the Blood publication describes how the inhibition of VPAC could promote megakaryocyte differentiation. Blood is the official journal of the American Society of Hematology (ASH).
Prof. Desire Collen, CEO and chairman of ThromboGenics, said: “Thrombocytopenia is a severe complication of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, and for which there is little therapeutic alternative. I am very pleased to advance our thrombocytopenia program to preclinical development, which I hope will confirm the potential of our approach published in Blood. This highlights the novelty of our program compared to other agents in development for treatment of this serious condition.”