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8th World Congress of Biomechanics, Dublin, Ireland
GlycoMimetics CSO Dr. John Magnani Delivers Keynote
A Potent Glycomimetic Antagonist for the Selectins that Inhibits Mechanotransduced Integrin Activation and Neutrophil Arrest is in Clinical Trials for Vaso-occlusive Crisis in Sickle Cell Disease
On July 10, 2018, GlycoMimetics CSO Dr. John Magnani delivered a keynote address at the 8th World Congress of Biomechanics in Dublin. His talk explained that vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) in sickle cell disease arises from the adhesion of blood cells to vessel walls, which blocks blood flow and results in intense pain due to the cumulative and irreversible injury to organs and tissues. He described the detailed molecular mechanisms that drive the adhesion and activation of white blood cells responsible for the formation of the VOC. Rivipansel, a glycomimetic drug candidate, is unique in that it inhibits the E-selectin “catch bonds” and the mechanotransduced activation of leukocytes required for the VOC. These clear and dramatic effects translated a benefit to sickle cell patients in crisis in a Phase 2 clinical trial, resulting in a reduction in the duration of crisis and the length of hospital stay as well as a significant reduction in opioid use for narcotic pain relief.