Researchers in the U.K. have won funding for a new developmental drug that could help reduce the risk of life threatening blood clots. The anticoagulant drug, called ichorcumab, is in development by researchers at Cambridge and just received an $11 million grant from Index Ventures, along with GlaxoSmithKline and Johnson & Johnson.
According to Cambridge researcher Jim Huntingdon, they began work on the drug after discovering a patient who was unable to form blood clots but also suffered no increased bleeding after a head injury in 2008.
"This antibody can deliver a high degree of anticoagulation without increased bleeding; we've never seen that before," said Huntingdon.
The investment gives neither Glaxo nor Johnson & Johnson any preferential rights over the drug, but will allow them to keep closer tabs on its development.
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