We recently showed that single-chain zymogen factor VII is converted to two-chain factor VIIa in an autocatalytic manner following complex formation with either cell-surface or solution-phase relipidated tissue factor apoprotein (Nakagaki, T., Foster, D. C., Berkner, K. L., and Kisiel, W. (1991) Biochemistry 30, 10819-10824). We have now performed a detailed kinetic analysis of the autoactivati...

In This Issue: • NovoSeven • Therapeutic Interchanges Introduction: Recombinant human activated Factor VII (rFVIIa), or NovoSeven, is a hemostatic agent which is structurally similar to human plasma-derived coagulation Factor VIIa. Recombinant FVIIa is currently licensed by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in patients with hemophilia A or B with inhibitors to Factor VIII or Factor IX o...