New substance aims to prevent vascular calcification

The calcification of blood vessels and other soft tissues can lead to serious cardiovascular diseases. There is a high danger of vascular calcification among chronic kidney disease patients in particular, as the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH) writes in a press release. Researchers at the ETH have now discovered a substance that could in future help to prevent vascular calcification.

“Calcification occurs when calcium phosphate crystals are deposited in tissue”, explains Jean-​Christophe Leroux, Professor of Drug Formulation and Delivery at ETH Zürich. The substance developed by the researchers adheres to these calcium phosphate crystals, thereby inhibiting their capacity for further growth.

Leroux founded the company Inositec together with other project participants. Inositec will now conduct further testing on the substance in conjunction with third parties. The researchers will be focusing on issues such as drug safety and the optimal dosage during this phase. Thereafter, the next step would be to submit an application for market authorization.