The multi-center, double-blind, placebo controlled trial will enroll 800 sepsis patients who are at high risk of having concurrent disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), which in sepsis patients may double their risk of death.

Various etiologic factors may be responsible for coagulation disturbances in children, including congenital deficiencies; hepatic insufficiency; disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) from sepsis, shock, or closed head injury; dilution of coagulation factors after cardiopulmonary bypass or large-volume transfusions; and medications.

President and CEO of Artisan, said, "The additions of David, Nita and Robin complete one of the most important tasks in building Artisan: the creation of the core clinical, regulatory and quality compliance group that will drive the development of ART 123, a promising new self-regulating treatment for disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in sepsis that is awaiting approval in Japan, and eventually of other products that we plan to acquire.