Merck + Co., Inc.

Lloyd H Waxman

Michael P Neeper

Victor M Garsky

Thomas M Connolly

George P Vlasuk

Paul M Keller

A protein which inhibits collagen-stimulated platelet aggregation. The protein has a molecular weight of approximately 17,000. A method of isolating the protein from Ornithodoros moubata and using the protein to prevent or delay blood coagulation by blocking the stimulation of platelet aggregation by collagen is also described. The protein is useful in the prevention, prophylaxis, therapy and treatment of thrombotic diseases.

Protein for inhibiting collagen-stimulated platelet aggregation

Proteins which specifically inhibit coagulation Factor Xa. The inhibitors, which do not inhibit Factor VIIa, kallikrein, trypsin, chymotrypsin, thrombin, urokinase, tissue plasminogen activator, plasmin, elastase, Factor XIa or S. aureus V8 protease, are polypeptides of 60 amino acid residues. The inhibitors may be purified from Ornithodoros moubata extract, synthesized, or produced using a recombinant DNA yeast expression system.

Processes for making proteins having anticoagulant properties

The invention comprises proteinaceous substances isolated from crude Ornithodoros moubata extract which inhibit adhesion of platelets to collagen. These substances do not inhibit platelet adhesion to fibrinogen, and are therefore particularly useful for inhibiting adhesion of platelets to collagen when simultaneous inhibition of platelet adhesion to fibrinogen is undesired. They are particularly useful in the prevention, prophylaxis, therapy and treatment of thrombotic diseases.

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Ottsville, PA, United States of America

Lloyd H Waxman