Okamoto's Strategy to Develop Argatroban: An Innovative Concept for the Future

ABSTRACT

Argatroban, the world's first direct thrombin inhibitor, developed by Shosuke Okamoto et al, is based on three development concepts: “exceeding global standards,” “avoiding current trends in research,” and “exploring drugs.” Okamoto sought compounds that strongly and selectively inhibited thrombin throughout his research on thrombin inhibitors. Compounds that selectively inhibit a specific enzyme can be used as a powerful tool to elucidate the physiological and pathological roles of that enzyme. As of January 2008, argatroban has been approved in 12 countries including Japan and used in several patients with chronic arterial thrombosis, acute cerebral thrombosis, and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). Throughout his 60 years of research, Okamoto nurtured the belief of “science for the well-being of humankind,” leading him to research plasmin inhibitors and thrombin inhibitors. In the spirit of his research, we continue to make contributions for the betterment of humankind.

Thrombin inhibitor - plasmin inhibitor - heparin-induced thrombocytopenia - anticoagulants - argatroban

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