Eptifibatide
Cyclic heptapeptide GP IIb/IIIa receptor antagonist — FDA approved 1998. Structural inspiration: leech decorsin.
Mechanistic Evidence Box
Studied off-label- Page type
- Compound profile
- Evidence type
- Cyclic heptapeptide GP IIb/IIIa receptor antagonist — FDA approved 1998. Structural inspiration: leech decorsin.
- Evidence level
- FDA-cleared regulatory context
- Drug vs leech
- Synthetic analog
- Safety domains
- Bleeding
Clinical translation limit
Eptifibatide is a synthetic peptidomimetic drug whose design drew on both snake venom (Sistrurus) and leech decorsin disintegrin scaffolds; it is chemically distinct from both. Its RCT evidence base (EPISTENT) applies only to the drug, not to whole medicinal-leech therapy.
Molecular Profile
- Category
- Antiplatelet
- Evidence tier
- Tier A — FDA-approved derivative
- Molecular weight
- 831.96 Da
- Source species
- Synthetic peptidomimetic
- Discovered
- 1993 · COR Therapeutics / Millennium Pharmaceuticals (originally inspired by Sistrurus snake venom + leech decorsin)
- PubChem CID
- 123610
- Derived FDA-approved drug
- Integrilin (FDA approved May 1998)
Biological Targets
- → platelet integrin αIIbβ3 (GP IIb/IIIa)
Key Citations
- PURSUIT Trial Investigators (1998), N Engl J Med · PMID 9705684
External Resources
Related Antiplatelet Compounds
Calin
Anti-platelet adhesion protein that blocks von Willebrand factor–collagen binding.
Saratin
Anti-platelet adhesion protein blocking collagen-mediated platelet activation.
Decorsin
RGD-containing peptide inhibiting platelet GP IIb/IIIa receptor — eptifibatide ancestor.
Ornatin
RGD-peptide GP IIb/IIIa antagonist — sister molecule to decorsin from a different leech species.