Joanne van Ryn – “The master of perfection”

 

Anticoagulants can save patients’ lives by preventing strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm disorder. However, in case of a sud den surgery, for instance, if their effect could be stopped rapidly, then there would be a reduced risk of bleeding. By the end of 2008 it became Joanne van Ryn’s mission to find a reversal agent for the anticoagulant dabigatran. The Canadian scientist had come to work for Boehringer Ingelheim in Biberach (Germany) after completing her Ph.D. thesis. Luckily, she could rely on her experiences with the development of dabigatran in the process of developing the reversal agent. One year after conceiving the idea, the team had perfected a specific molecule that was able to stop the effects of the anticoagulant. It was ready to be tested in safety studies, volunteers and then in a clinical study. For successful testing and subsequent widespread availability, the molecule then had to be produced in large quantities while maintaining consistent quality. “With Biberach being one of the largest biopharmaceutical sites in Europe, we have the infrastructure to accomplish this project”, resumes Joanne.

369 medical centers in 39 countries were involved in the decisive clinical study and 503 patients were included. The meticulous work of Joanne van Ryn and the entire team was confirmed and idarucizumab proved to be very effective. With the approval by regulatory agencies around the world, physicians and patients now have an important therapy option at hand in case of emergency situations.