Oct. 9, 2002 — Clinical trials are expected to begin this year on a medication consisting of artificial, nanoscale drug carriers that have been successful in preventing artery blockages in animals after angioplasty, according to Medinews.com.
The medication contains molecules that are toxic to macrophages, which are sent to a blocked area after angioplasty to help the area heal but often cause blockages themselves. The macrophages don’t recognize the toxic molecule, ingest it and die.
Gershon Golomb, chairman of Hebrew University’s School of Pharmacy, designed the medication.