The FDA granted orphan drug designation to VLX-1005 as thrombosis prophylaxis in patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT).
According to its manufacturer, Veralox Therapeutics, preclinical data have shown that VLX-1005 has the potential to halt immune-driven platelet activation and thrombosis. VLX-1005 is a first-in-class, selective small molecule inhibitor of 12-lipoxygenase, a key target within the arachidonic acid pathway.
"We believe VLX-1005 has great potential to be the first disease modifying therapy for HIT in over 20 years," said Matthew B. Boxer, PhD, chief operating officer of Veralox Therapeutics.
Source: Veralox Therapeutics press release, January 26, 2021.