Rivipansel
Rivipansel is a synthetic, glycomimetic molecule and pan-selectin antagonist, with potential use in a vaso-occlusive crisis. Upon administration, rivipansel prevents the interaction between leukocytes and the endothelium and may prevent cell activation and adhesion. By preventing selectin-mediated cell adhesion in sickle cell anemia, this agent may inhibit red blood cell-white blood cell interactions, normalize blood flow and reduce inflammation and vascular occlusive pain. GMI-1070 has the strongest antagonistic activity towards E-selectin but a sulfate-binding domain allows for interactions with P- and L-selectins. Selectins, containing lectin- and EGF-like domains, are a family of cell adhesion molecules implicated in inflammatory processes and cancer.