Heparan sulfate for prevention of acetaminophen-induced acute liver failure

INDICATION: Liver failure

Inhibiting HMGB1, a DNA-binding protein, with a polysaccharide composed of 18 heparan sulfate units could prevent acute liver failure due to acetaminophen overdose. Patients with acetaminophen-induced acute liver failure had higher plasma levels of HMGB1 than healthy individuals. In mice with acetaminophen overdose, the heparan sulfate polysaccharide, which bound HMGB1 in vitro with an IC₅₀ of 658 nM, reduced plasma levels of liver injury biomarker ALT and the inflammatory marker TNFα and increased survival. Glycan Therapeutics LLC has licensed IP associated with the research; next steps include finding a partner to conduct GMP synthesis, safety testing and clinical development...