RK, I did a lot of work in the field. Published all over the place too. Hypothesis-driven experimental work has been very helpful in understanding more about the septic pathway of bacteriemia, cytokine release (e.g., TNF), micro and macrothrombosis, hypoxia, (pos feed back here), multiple organ failure, circulatory failure, death (in this order) in sepsis. One of the bests in the field, Taylor, hypothesized in 1986 that the body's natural anticoagulant, activated protein C, might block the pathway at the thrombosis level. He tested his hypothesis and he found that he was right. I know more about true anticoagulants than BPI. It appears that BPI works at an earlier step of the same pathway and predominantly targets the intruders (bacteria and their products). I'm not really sure about its antithrombotic properties (as far as the molecular mechanism is concerned).
Treatment of sepsis involves combination of drugs and modalities in order to interrupt the bad cycle. Besides obligatory combination of potent antibiotics and other stuff, people tried heparin and/or antithrombin, as an anticoagulant, with not much success. Activated protein C appears to be more potent.
I still don't think that patent protection of any drug combination is enforceable, unless they're co-administered in the same dosage form (i.e.,packaged together in the same vial). A very-very unlikely event for APC and BPI.
I realize that because I'm a bit lazy GW has started something new here: the big clicking contest. He's funny. |
