The Use of Snake Venom-Derived Compounds for New Functional Diagnostic Test Kits in the Field of Haemostasis

Abstract

Pentapharm Ltd. has a long tradition of producing and proceeding snake venom components as APIs and tools in pharmaceutical and diagnostic applications, beginning with the snake venom-derived product Reptilase^® about 60 years ago. In recent years diagnostic test kits in the field of haemostasis have been developed, like Pefakit^® APC-R Factor V Leiden and Pefakit^® PiCT^®, which make use of one or more snake venom compounds as key reactants. The venom-derived compounds are responsible for many outstanding properties of these tests and account for their top ranking performance qualities confirmed in non-clinical and clinical studies. Both tests are on the market in Europe. Pefakit^® APC-R Factor V Leiden is also marketed in the US since January 2005. Research on snake venom-derived compounds for diagnostic and pharmaceutical use is ongoing.

Metalloproteases Affecting Blood Coagulation, Fibrinolysis and Platelet Aggregation from Snake Venoms: Definition and Nomenclature of Interaction Sites

“…Thus, CA-1 method is a novel assay for monitoring coagulant activity in warfarin-treated individuals. For details on other snake venom proteins used as diagnostic agents, see [179,180]. …”

Comparison of the aPTT With Alternative Tests for Monitoring Direct Thrombin Inhibitors in Patient Samples

“…The PiCT is the time required for plasma coagulation to occur when induced by the prothrombinase complex, consisting of factors Xa and Va assembled on an appropriate phospholipid surface in the presence of calcium. 11 Sample plasma was added to a reagent containing exogenous factor Xa, phospholipids, and the factor V-activating protein, which was purified from the venom of the Russell viper, Daboia russelli (RVV-V). A plasma sample of 90 μL was added to 70 μL of a solution containing factor Xa, phospholipids, and RVV-V and incubated at 37°C for 3 minutes, after which 40 μL of a 25-mmol/L calcium chloride solution was added (final added Ca ++ = 3.45 mmol/L) and the time required for clot formation recorded.…”

Recombinant snake venom prothrombin activators

“…Such prothrombin activators are known since long and belong to different classes depending on their requirements for co-factors. Several snake venom prothrombin activators are utilized in coagulation factors assays for research purposes and as diagnostic reagents 10 . However, the use of components from snake venom for assay and other purposes is not optimal as many of the snakes belong to endangered species and the prothrombin activators may show considerable variability in their prothrombin-activating properties.…”