Smart Library

The most potent natural thrombin inhibitor — and the molecular template for three FDA-approved direct thrombin inhibitor drugs.

Anti-platelet adhesion protein that blocks von Willebrand factor–collagen binding.

Anti-platelet adhesion protein blocking collagen-mediated platelet activation.

Lysozyme with isopeptidase activity that dissolves stabilized fibrin clots — including aged thrombi resistant to tPA.

Serine proteinase inhibitor targeting tissue kallikrein — anti-inflammatory pathway.

Potent inhibitor of human leukocyte elastase and cathepsin G — anti-inflammatory protein widely used as research tool.

Kazal-type proteinase inhibitor targeting trypsin and plasmin — modulates inflammatory cascade.

Factor Xa inhibitor from the Mexican leech (1987) — used in early animal studies of factor Xa as a target; the DOAC drugs are synthetic and not derived from it.

RGD-containing peptide that inhibits the platelet GP IIb/IIIa receptor; the drug eptifibatide was modelled on snake-venom barbourin, not on decorsin.

RGD-peptide GP IIb/IIIa antagonist — sister molecule to decorsin from a different leech species.

Cationic, cysteine-rich antimicrobial peptide (75 amino acids) active against Gram-positive bacteria — part of the leech's innate immunity.

Linear anionic antimicrobial peptide (86 amino acids) active against Gram-positive bacteria — the first anionic antimicrobial peptide described in invertebrates.

Direct fibrinogenolytic enzyme — degrades fibrinogen independently of plasmin.

Factor Xa inhibitor with anti-metastatic activity in animal cancer models — translational dual-use compound.

Factor Xa inhibitor with anti-inflammatory properties.

Selective inhibitor of human mast cell tryptase — anti-inflammatory pathway.

Hirudin variant from Hirudinaria manillensis with distinct kinetics.

Synthetic hirudin variant with improved oral pharmacokinetics — preclinical anticoagulant.

Inhibitor of TAFI (thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor) — synergizes with hirudin's anticoagulant action.

Enzyme that degrades hyaluronic acid in extracellular matrix — 'spreading factor' enhancing diffusion of other SGS compounds.

Synthetic 20-amino-acid hirudin analog — FDA-approved direct thrombin inhibitor for PCI anticoagulation ($636M peak revenue).

First-generation recombinant hirudin — FDA-approved 1998 for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). Withdrawn 2012 by Bayer for commercial reasons.

Recombinant hirudin variant — FDA-approved 2003 for prophylaxis of DVT after hip replacement surgery.

Oral direct thrombin inhibitor — FDA approved 2010 for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation. Synthetic; designed from the inhibitor NAPAP, not derived from hirudin.

Synthetic small-molecule direct thrombin inhibitor — FDA approved 2000 for HIT, later also for PCI in patients with or at risk of HIT. Derived from arginine, not from hirudin.

Oral Factor Xa inhibitor — FDA approved 2011. Synthetic (Bayer, oxazolidinone series); shares its target with the leech protein antistasin but is not derived from it.

Oral Factor Xa inhibitor — FDA approved 2012. Synthetic; shares its target with the leech protein antistasin but is not derived from it.

Oral Factor Xa inhibitor — FDA approved 2015. Synthetic; shares its target with the leech protein antistasin but is not derived from it.

Cyclic heptapeptide GP IIb/IIIa receptor antagonist — FDA approved 1998. Designed from snake-venom barbourin; not derived from the leech.

Direct fibrinogenolytic enzyme cleaving fibrinogen alpha-chain at unique sites — independent of plasmin.

Leech-derived inhibitor that potentiates host antithrombin III activity — synergistic anticoagulation.

Selective elastase inhibitor from Korean leech — anti-inflammatory potential in COPD and emphysema research.

Plasma kallikrein and trypsin inhibitor from Korean leech — anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic research.

Factor Xa inhibitor from Theromyzon tessulatum — Kunitz-domain analog with novel selectivity profile.

Picomolar-affinity thrombin inhibitor from Indian buffalo leech — distinct mechanism from hirudin.

Growth factor and wound-healing modulator — promotes angiogenesis and tissue regeneration.

Antimicrobial peptide active against Gram-positive bacteria — amphipathic alpha-helix.

Newly-characterized antimicrobial peptide family (Kumar 2025) — candidate next-generation antibiotics against AMR pathogens.

Trypsin and plasmin inhibitor; closely related to bdellins — anti-fibrinolytic modulation.

Factor XIIIa inhibitor — blocks fibrin cross-linking; novel mechanism distinct from hirudin.

Platelet GP IIb/IIIa antagonist family member — RGD-motif containing.

Complement system modulator targeting C1q activation — immunological homeostasis.

Plasma kallikrein-kinin system modulator — anti-inflammatory pathway distinct from cyclooxygenase.

Modulates host NOS activity at bite site — contributes to vasodilation phase of feeding.

Histamine-receptor-acting compound — contributes to local vasodilation at feeding site.

Cholinergic vasodilator contributing to feeding-site vascular dilation.

Trypsin-plasmin inhibitor of Kazal-type family — sister to Bdellin B3.

Plasmin inhibitor of Kazal-type family — anti-fibrinolytic.

Isopeptidase domain of destabilase that cleaves cross-linked fibrin — distinct from lysozyme domain.

Lysozyme domain of destabilase — antimicrobial activity against peptidoglycan-containing bacteria.