Profound and Sustained Inhibition of Platelet Aggregation by Fradafiban, a Nonpeptide Platelet Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Antagonist, and Its Orally Active Prodrug, Lefradafiban, in Men

Background Clinical trials have demonstrated that platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa antagonists effectively prevent acute thrombotic events. Orally active GP IIb/IIIa antagonists are essential to evaluate the clinical benefit of long-term treatment. We therefore investigated platelet inhibition by the GP IIb/IIIa antagonist Fradafiban (BIBU 52; Fradafiban is the recommended INN of BIBU 52) and its orally administered prodrug, Lefradafiban (BIBU 104; Lefradafiban is the recommended INN of BIBU 104) in healthy subjects. Methods and Results The activity and plasma levels of Fradafiban and Lefradafiban were evaluated in double-blind, placebo-controlled studies in 130 healthy male subjects. One to 15 mg Fradafiban continuously infused over 30 minutes reversibly inhibited platelet aggregation in platelet-rich plasma ex vivo in response to 20 μmol/L ADP (5 mg, 100% inhibition at 27 minutes after administration) and to both 1.0 (5 mg, 100%) and 10 μg/mL (15 mg, 97±3%) collagen. Single oral doses of Lefradafiban...