New weapon against blood clots

A DRUG derived from DNA fragments purified from the cells of pig intestines showed promise in preventing blood clots caused by multiple illnesses — including COVID-19, researchers say. University of Michigan rheumatologists claim their tests showed defibrotide suppressed the development of web-like neutrophil extracellular traps, or NETs — proteins which play a role in triggering inflammation and the formation of life-threatening clots.

Senior author Dr. Jason Knight explains negatively charged defibrotide molecules seemingly soak up the “toxic” part of NETs.