A research team from Mainz University Medical Center has discovered a new approach to drug treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infections.

The scientists were able to show that the anticoagulant protein rNAPc2 (recombinant nematode anticoagulant protein c2) is a promising treatment option for severe Covid-19 courses.

Daniel Schleidt

Deputy coordinator of the business editorial department in the Rhein-Main-Zeitung.

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    Accordingly, the active ingredient should have a direct effect on blood clotting and have the potential to prevent coagulation disorders and associated inflammation in SARS-CoV-2 infections, which should play a central role in how Covid-19 develops in patients. Based on the research results, the Mainz University Medical Center has already signed an agreement to transfer patents with the active ingredient owner ARCA biopharma. 

    "Even at the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, there were indications of a significantly increased risk of blood clots, especially in patients with severe COVID-19 courses," reports Wolfram Ruf, Scientific Director of the Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis at the Mainz University Medical Center, who directed the examinations at the clinic. The frequent formation of thrombosis in those affected is based on an increased ability of the blood to clot. This so-called hypercoagulation is attributed to an inflammatory reaction in the course of the SARS-CoV-2 infection.

    The protein rNAPc2 intervenes directly in the early processes of blood clotting by inhibiting the so-called tissue factor, a protein that activates blood clotting and plays a central role in the inflammatory response to viral infections and the spread of viruses.

    This means that the mechanism of action of rNAPc2 is fundamentally different from the mode of action of the anticoagulant heparin, which has previously been used for thrombosis prophylaxis in Covid-19 patients. 

    Clinical study for the treatment of Covid patients

    ARCA biopharma has been investigating the active ingredient in a clinical phase 2b study since December 2020 in inpatient Covid-19 patients with increased blood coagulation values.

    The aim is to find out whether treatment with the protein can prevent thrombosis better than standard therapy with the anticoagulant heparin.

    The researchers hope that the new therapy will prevent thrombosis in corona patients and will be able to suppress the inflammatory reaction associated with the activation of coagulation.

    In addition to Wolfram Ruf's working group, scientists from the Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine at the Mainz University Medical Center under the direction of Director Karl Lackner and the Technology Transfer Unit at the Mainz University Medical Center are involved in the project.

    The nucleus for groundbreaking knowledge

    “The research on the use of rNAPc2 in Covid-19 shows once again that the Mainz University Medical Center is the nucleus for groundbreaking scientific findings.

    In addition to the foundations for the Covid-19 vaccine from BioNTech, the basis for a new, promising drug treatment option has now been created in Mainz, ”emphasizes Ulrich Förstermann, Scientific Director and Dean.

    As part of the contractual agreement with the Mainz University Medical Center, the US biotech company ARCA biopharma receives the worldwide patent rights for the use of rNAPc2 as a potential therapy for Covid-19.

    "We are pleased to be able to further advance the development of rNAPc2 for clinical use through our cooperation with ARCA biopharma and thus to be able to make an important contribution to the containment of the consequences of the pandemic," comments Christian Elsner, Commercial Director of the Mainz University Medical Center.

    Further indications at a glance

    The contract includes upfront and milestone commitments for ARCA biopharma, which amount to around 1.6 million euros.

    In addition, there are license fees to the Mainz University Medical Center as soon as rNAPc2 receives approval for the treatment of Covid 19 patients and is marketed.

    If rNAPc2 proves to be successful in the clinical studies with Covid-19, this could make it possible to use it in other thrombo-inflammatory diseases.

    These include antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), a serious complication that can occur in autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus.