| abstract |
Therapeutic agents suitable for use as artificial platelets are described. The agents comprise a fibrinogen binding precursor bound to an insoluble carrier, wherein the fibrinogen binding precursor can be converted by a wound site specific agent, such as thrombin, to a fibrinogen binding component bound to the carrier. The librinogen binding component has increased ability to bind fibrinogen compared to the fibrinogen binding precursor. The agents may be used to treat patients with deficiencies in their own platelets, such as hereditary or acquired defects of platelet numbers (thrombocytopenia) or function (thrombasthenia). |