ArchivesTaiwan develops revolutionary heart-attack drug
A clot-busting drug that treats heart attacks using a combination of stem cells and nanomaterial was unveiled by the National Science Council April 21. “The medication is based upon a blend of proprietary nanomaterial with growth factors and stem cells,” project leader Yeh Chen-sheng said. “It is administered by direct injection into the heart.” Yeh, a professor of chemistry at Tainan-based National Cheng Kung University, said the drug targets vascular congestions and clears clogged carotid arteries. “The nanomaterial carrying the growth factors and stem cells then dissolves and is metabolized by the kidney,” he added. According to Yeh, existing medication often fails to work as it has been diluted below effective levels before reaching the heart. “Direct injection overcomes this issue, with preliminary testing on lab mice showing heart functions increasing by 50 percent without any significant side effects,” he said. “The next step is to conduct trials with intravenous injections and then run lab tests on larger animals.” The drug was developed under the auspices of a three-year NSC project commencing 2010. Team members include Patrick C.H. Hsieh, professor at NCKU’s Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, and Ho Ja-an, professor at the Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, National Taiwan University. (JSM) Write to Meg Chang at meg.chang@mail.gio.gvo.tw |