Cadrenal Therapeutics And Abbott Join Forces To Revolutionize Anticoagulant Therapy For LVAD Patients

Cadrenal Therapeutics, a biopharma firm specializing in tecarfarin, an advanced Vitamin K Antagonist (VKA) that acts as an oral and reversible anticoagulant, announced ongoing discussions with Abbott (regarding a pivotal study of tecarfarin for patients with newly implanted Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVADs). Tecarfarin aims to prevent heart attacks, strokes, and fatal blood clots in patients with cardiac implants and rare cardiovascular conditions. Lifelong anticoagulation is essential for all LVAD patients to prevent thromboembolic events.

In April 2024, the FDA granted Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) to tecarfarin for preventing blood clots and strokes in patients with mechanical circulatory support devices like LVADs. Presently, the HeartMate 3™, produced by Abbott, is the sole LVAD available in the U.S. and has proven superior to its predecessors.

A secondary analysis of Abbott's ARIES-HM3 study highlighted that ensuring high-quality anticoagulation (AC) significantly enhances outcomes for patients using the HeartMate 3 LVAD, reducing the need for aspirin therapy. Previous clinical studies have shown that tecarfarin offers enhanced anticoagulation (AC) quality, especially in patients taking multiple medications and those with renal impairment—conditions frequently observed in LVAD patients.

Quang Pham, Chairman and Chief Executive of Cadrenal Therapeutics, said in a statement, “We are pleased that Abbott has initiated a collaborative effort with us for this trial, which we believe is very important to LVAD patients. We believe that tecarfarin has the potential to further improve AC treatment for HeartMate 3 patients.”