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Lepirudin
Background
Lepirudin is a recombinant hirudin formed by 65 amino acids that acts as a highly specific and direct thrombin inhibitor. Natural hirudin is an endogenous anticoagulant found in Hirudo medicinalis leeches. Lepirudin binds to the catalytic and substrate-binding sites of thrombin, forming a stable, irreversible and non-covalent complex. This blocks the protease activity of thrombin and inhibits the coagulation process. Each molecule of lepirudin binds to a single molecule of thrombin, and unlike heparin, it is able to inhibit thrombin in both its clot-bound or free states.
