Stopping Bleeding Where It Starts
EmstoPA is a first-in-class humanised antibody fragment that precisely targets human tPA, a key driver of haemorrhage in cardiac surgery and major trauma.
800,000+
Cardiac surgery procedures annually in the US, EU and China carrying tPA-induced bleeding risk
3,500,000+
50,000+
Thrombolysis patients treated with tPA, tenecteplase or reteplase with tPA-induced haemorrhage
$0
2039
The Problem
tPA levels rise sharply in response to cardiac surgery with artificial circulation, major trauma and major surgery. This elevation drives excessive fibrinolysis, breaking down clots faster than the body can form them. Uncontrolled tPA-mediated haemorrhage is a leading cause of preventable death in these settings, and no specific reversal agent for tPA activity currently exists.
Severe bleeding due to excessive thrombolysis, caused by treatment with tPA, tenecteplase or reteplase, occurs in approximately 7% of treated patients. Since no specific or safe treatments for major haemorrhage due to tPA-driven thrombolysis exist, a targeted therapy is urgently needed.
The Solution
EmstoPA is a humanised monoclonal antibody fragment that blocks human tPA activity in the presence of fibrin with high specificity. By targeting tPA activity directly, EmstoPA is expected to reduce bleeding in cardiac surgery and major trauma. Crucially, EmstoPA does not block uPA, giving it a significantly better predicted safety profile compared to existing anti-fibrinolytics, which carry reported risks of thrombosis and convulsions.
The Validation
EmstoPA is in preclinical development with formal FDA and MHRA Scientific Advice endorsing an accelerated development path. The programme is recommended for the UK ILAP Accelerated Access Programme and has attracted engagement from Roche/Genentech as well as other companies in the haematology area.