Desirudin

How it works

Hirudin, the leech's saliva anticoagulant, made by yeast: it blocks thrombin directly to prevent vein clots after hip replacement.

What it's made of

65 amino acids: hirudin, the anticoagulant in the saliva of the medicinal leech, produced by modified yeast instead of extracted from the animal.

What it's for

Prescribed for

Today, in no known country. It was approved to prevent venous thrombosis after a planned hip replacement.