Neuroprotective Agent Development for Stroke

Neuroprotection is a strategy to potentially protect the brain in a number of different brain disorders, including Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injury, and ischemic stroke. Neuroprotection leads to neurological preservation, recovery, and/or regeneration by interfering with the ischemia-triggered stroke cascade, and can counteract the deleterious biochemical and molecular events that lead to irreversible ischemic injury. Examples of neuroprotective therapies under investigation include pharmaceutical compounds and non-pharmacological approaches such as hypothermia, normobaric oxygen, or remote ischemic preconditioning. Neuroprotective therapies have shown positive results in experimental stroke models in recent years. More than 50 neuroprotective agents have entered randomized human clinical trials for focal ischemic stroke.

Fig. 1. Neuroprotection in acute ischemic stroke. (Goenka et al., 2019)

Our Neuroprotective Agent Development Services

Ace Therapeutics is a stroke-focused preclinical CRO offering clients one-stop neuroprotective agent development services. We have strong capabilities and technologies in the field of stroke. Our approach encompasses a multidisciplinary framework that integrates target identification, compound optimization, efficacy and safety studies for the preclinical development of neuroprotective agents for stroke under optimal conditions.

What Neuroprotective Agents Can We Develop?

We use omics techniques to analyze key targets and pathways associated with stroke and validate these targets using a variety of experimental approaches, including knockout models and target-specific inhibitors. Based on our knowledge of neuroprotective strategies for stroke, our team of experts can help clients to select the drugs to be studied more strategically and improve study design to develop effective neuroprotective agents.

Preclinical Evaluation of Neuroprotective Agents

We have high-quality preclinical stroke models to help clients analyze the mechanism of action and efficacy of various neuroprotective drugs. We use a variety of outcome measures to comprehensively assess the efficacy of interventions. We can also combine therapeutic hypothermia with neuroprotective agents to help clients study therapeutic efficacy in animal models of stroke.

• Behavioral analysis: Foot fault test, grip strength test, rotating rod test
• TTC staining of brain sections
• Histopathology of nasal mucosal toxicity
• Blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability analysis
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analysis of cerebral infarct volume
• Cytokine analysis

Ace Therapeutics recognize that each neuroprotective agent development program is unique. We offer customized services to meet the specific needs of clients. Whether it is target identification, lead compound optimization, or preclinical studies, we work closely with our clients to develop a comprehensive strategy that meets their goals and timelines. If you are interested in our services, please do not hesitate to contact us!

1. Goenka, L., et al. (2019). Neuroprotective agents in acute ischemic stroke—a reality check. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 109, 2539-2547.