Organon's roots in extracting hormones from organs led to the production of purified heparin, a natural product which prevents blood clotting. It was first marketed in 1948 for use in blood transfusion, the treatment of thrombosis and inflammation of the veins, and for the prevention of thrombosis during certain surgical procedures. It marked Organon's first entrance into the production of drugs for cardiovascular disorders.

Subsequent research in the field of venous thrombosis led to the production of the antithrombotic agent Orgaran®, a heparinoid indicated for the prophylaxis of deep venous thrombosis following surgery or ischaemic stroke, and in patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Research shows it has greater bioavailability than heparin, minimal effect on platelet function and is less likely to cause thrombocytopenia or bleeding.

Atherosclerosis, the formation of inflammatory and occasionally obstructive vascular lesions, has been recognised as a significant medical issue. The disease is very widespread and occurs in virtually everyone over the age of 5. Clinical symptoms such as angina (chest pain), myocardial infarction (heart attack) or stroke become increasingly prevalent in the early 40s in men, and after the menopause in women. Rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque and exposure of the thrombotic core leads to arterial thrombosis and loss of flow through important blood vessels which leads to ischaemia in the dependent organ. Where this happens in a coronary artery, a myocardial infarction is the result. Overall, the vascular effects of atherosclerosis is the leading cause of death today, exceeding even all forms of cancer combined.

The understanding of atherosclerosis biology is progressing rapidly and it is clear that there is a substantial inflammatory component to the disease, as well as the better appreciated relationship with plasma cholesterol. This understanding has identified several strategies that have led to Organon's focus on mechanisms which we believe will make a substantive difference to the progression of the disease and, importantly specifically target the root cause of clinical events.