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Semin Vasc Med 2005; 5(3): 227-234
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-916161
Copyright © 2005 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Discovery of Ximelagatran in an Historical Perspective

David Gustafsson1
  • 1Department of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, AstraZeneca R&D, Mölndal, Sweden
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
25 August 2005 (online)

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ABSTRACT

The oral direct thrombin inhibitor ximelagatran is the first oral anticoagulant since the introduction of the vitamin K antagonists in the early 1940s. A comparison of the discovery and early clinical development of the two classes of oral anticoagulants reveals some similarities but also several differences that illustrate the change in drug discovery over the last half century.

KEYWORDS

Ximelagatran - vitamin K antagonists - oral anticoagulation - oral direct thrombin inhibitors

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David GustafssonM.D. Ph.D. 

Department of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, AstraZeneca R&D

Mölndal, S-431 83, Sweden