Affirmer proteins for the development of a new generation of anti-thrombotic agents 

Innovative protein-based therapies to improve blood clot prevention

A2003367

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death, largely driven by blood vessel blockages caused by blood clots. Current treatments reduce clotting but increase bleeding risk and don’t fully address residual risk linked to hypofibrinolysis - impaired clot breakdown driven by proteins plasmin inhibitor (PI) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1).
The Thrombosis group at the University of Leeds have developed small proteins called Affimers that specifically inhibit PI and PAI-1, enhancing clot breakdown without increasing bleeding. Pilot studies show promising results.

This project aims to test additional Affimers, identifying their interaction sites with target proteins, and confirm their activity in blood flow models. The goal is to develop safer, targeted therapies for preventing heart attacks and strokes in high-risk patients.

his will make AKI-Predict more accurate, and help doctors to understand which diseases are the biggest risk factors for AKI. 

Lead Researcher	Professor Ramzi Ajjan Professor of Metabolic Medicine and Honorary Consultant in Diabetes and Endocrinology
Co-Researchers	Dr Thembaninkosi Gaule  Professor Darren Tomlinson
Host Organisation	University of Leeds
Grant Amount	£38,519.00
Start Date	04/08/2025
Estimated Duration	11 months
Impact Areas	Innovation & Health Technologies
Tags/key notes	Cardiovascular