Following the start of patient inclusion in Europe, the first Asian center participating international study APPIRED lll has started patient recruitment.
The National University Heart Centre, Singapore (NUHCS) is the country’s national heart specialty Centre. It is also taking international leadership in this trial, led by principal investigator Professor Theodoros Kofidis MD, PhD.
The objective of this multi-center international study is to prevent and reduce complications with life changing impact during and after open heart surgery by administration of the biological drug RESCAP. Today there is no effective treatment for prevention and treatment of complications from ischemic injury during and after open heart surgery.
APPIRED lll has 9 participating institutes across Asia and Europe, with 1250 patients to be recruited. Alloksys aims to propose RESCAP® to be applied in cardiothoracic surgery practice upon a successful trial.
First patient in status in Asia at NUHS, Singapore
Professor Theodoros Kofidis, who heads the Division of Adult Cardiac Surgery at the National University Heart Centre Singapore and is the Principal Investigator of the APPIRED study states:
“We are eagerly looking forward to start with this study at all centers. Our Intensive Care Unit literally turned into a kidney failure unit over the last few years: that is how complex and hit risk our cases are getting, with a constantly increasing trend.”
“We are very happy to lead this study together with the European partner hospitals, some of which already had previous positive experience with bRESCAP® in open heart surgery. Here important scientific foundations was laid for the current APPIRED study.
The ultimate goal for this study is to improve outcomes and lives and postoperative prospects of up to 1 million cardiovascular patients worldwide annually,” he adds.
This study will also shed light to whether differences in post-surgical responses between different patient populations can be overcome by the gatekeeper functionality of RESCAP® in the immune system
RESCAP; Empowering the patient’s immune system
RESCAP, REScuing Alkaline Phosphatase, is the therapeutic compound used in the trial program. Alkaline Phosphatase is an endogenous protein that is naturally occurring throughout the body under healthy conditions. It has an important protective role in the immune system. When the body is under oxidative stress, such as caused by open heart surgery, additional Alkaline Phosphatase is needed to prevent onward complications like inflammation and ischemic injury tissue damage that may translate in reduced quality of life and wellbeing for the patients, as referenced in peer reviewed research publications.
About National University Heart Centre Singapore
The National University Heart Centre, Singapore (NUHCS), a member of the National University Health System, brings together the resources, expertise and capabilities in the areas of Cardiology, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery to better meet the needs of the growing number of patients with heart disease. A key center for the treatment and management of complex cardiovascular diseases, NUHCS’ core clinical programs include heart failure, structural heart disease, acute coronary syndrome, vascular medicine and therapy, women’s heart health and heart rhythm.
Comprising a team of cardiovascular specialists and experts from a multitude of medical and surgical disciplines, the NUHCS provides a comprehensive and holistic approach to the treatment of patients with heart problems. This approach is backed by cutting edge knowledge and information gathered by the Cardiovascular Research Institute (CVRI). The CVRI focuses on developing niche research work in creating new knowledge in support of NUHCS’ core clinical programs by working in close collaboration with both local and international renowned research institutes such as the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and New Zealand’s Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
To find out more, visit www.nuhcs.com.sg
About Alloksys Life Sciences BV
Founded in 2006, Alloksys Life Sciences BV is now based in Wageningen, The Netherlands, is developing the RESCAP® platform as an anti-ischemic injury and anti-inflammatory compound in acute clinical settings like open heart and other major surgery, organ transplantation, blood loss trauma and severe burn wounds.
For more information about Alloksys Life Sciences BV, please visit www.alloksys.com
Contact
For more information on this press release, please contact:
National University Heart Centre Singapore Media contact: Kenice Tay Email: kenice_tay@nuhs.edu.sg Tel: (65) 6772 7596
Assoc.Prof. Dr. Theodoros Kofidis
Head, Division of Adult Cardiac Surgery
National University Hospital, Singapore (NUH)
1E Kent Ridge Road, Tower Block, Level 9, Singapore 119228
Tel: +65 67722059 or 67722065 (office)
Fax: +65 / 67766475
Email: surtk@nus.edu.sg
Contact person Dr. Ramanathan KR; Email: ram_ramanathan@nuhs.edu.sg
Alloksys Life Sciences BV
Dr. Herman Feil
+31 6 53157488
herman@alloksys.com
Dr. Ruud Brands
+31 6 47228395
ruud@alloksys.com
