#Athersys anti stroke drug 36 hours trial#

(NASDAQ:ATHX) announced today that its partner, HEALIOS K.K. 15, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - Athersys, Inc. If successful, both Athersys and the growing number of stroke survivors like Sharon Thomas couldВ soon have the Wild West of stem cells partially tamed.CLEVELAND, Nov.

#Athersys anti stroke drug 36 hours trial#

They plan to complete their trial in Japan and potentially extend their research to China, in addition to increasing U.S. They too believe that infusion of stem cells will become the standard of care for stroke patient treatment. And that includes a notable collaboration with Healios, a partner of Athersys since 2016. вЂњOur study is progressing, and throughout the course of the year, we will be focused on bringing on additional sites and driving enrollment,вЂќ says Van Bokkelen. In tandem with the domestic Phase 3 work is a parallel study in Japan. isnвЂ™t the only trial taking place for MultiStem. Chiu claims that, вЂњThis rigorous, multi-center randomized clinical trial is essential because the current standard of care is grossly inadequate.вЂќ According to him, вЂњStroke is the most important of the neurological diseases because of the damage it does вЂ“ to patients, families, productivity and sheer costsвЂќД«ut the U.S. With more than 50 stroke trials in his 20+ year career, Dr. David Chiu, medical director at Houston Methodist Eddy Scurlock Stroke CenterВ is a lead investigator for the MultiStem studies, and was the PI for phase 2. That will assure the FDA that this potential best proven treatment has the statistical power to support the Phase 2 results. There is substantial unmet need in stroke treatment, and based on our prior results we think there's the potential for our technology to have a major impact on improving stroke patient recovery and quality of life, which would be a major accomplishment.вЂќДЄthersys is currently conducting a 300 patient Phase 3 clinical trial that has received Fast Track designation and will include over 50 leading stroke centers across the U.S. Gil Van Bokkelen, CEO of Athersys, вЂњOur stroke program represents our most advanced clinical trial, in Phase 3, with Fast TrackВ and other important regulatory designations, and is a key area of strategic focus for us. It is also simple to prepare and administer, a true вЂњoff the shelfвЂќ approach.ДЄccording to Dr. What this means is that the tiny window for stroke treatment could be extended from mere hours to entire days. Athersys has entered Phase 3 of a multi-site clinical trial to see if MultiStem could extend the treatment window for stroke from three hours вЂ“ the current standard with clot-buster tPAВ (tissue plasminogen activator) вЂ“ to 36 hours. When itвЂ™s estimated that only 10% of stroke patients completely recover, the personal costs can mount quickly.Д«ut this is where MultiStem also provides hope to many. Worst of all for families, because Medicare only covers short amounts of time and rehabilitation services, many are forced into bankruptcy following a stroke. Long-term institutionalized care costs $100K per year on average. There is no time to prepare or understand the progression of disease.ДЇurther, the costs of care are significant for families.

Unlike degeneration in the brain, a stroke is instant.

But what makes stroke such a social burden is the ability of the event to interfere with brain activity in so many different ways вЂ“ many of which lead to the need for long-term care. In fact, stroke is a leading cause of deathВ in many countries around the world. StrokeВ (also known as an attack on the brain, cutting off blood and oxygen) is the leading cause of disability and the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S.

And what this means for patients like Sharon Thomas and the stem cell industry as a whole, is that MultiStem just might be the breakthrough that will change stroke treatment and outcomes вЂ“ and do so with scientific rigor. Giving way for more products with a stronger likelihood of success the opportunity to move forward. But in recent years the regulatory environment has strengthened and improved.