Stroke Drug Development Services Targeting Inflammatory Cytokines

Inflammation is now recognized as a major target for the development of new stroke therapies. Inflammation can be both harmful and beneficial at specific stages after stroke. While it can promote infarct expansion, it is also responsible for infarct regression and influences remodeling and repair. Experimental evidence suggests that targeting certain inflammatory cytokines, such as using the chimeric molecule sgp130Fc in conjunction with the IL-6/soluble (sol) IL-6R complex, may be a promising approach for future stroke research. Pharmacological interventions targeting inflammation in the acute phase after stroke can be used alone or in combination with recanalization therapies.

Fig. 1. IL-1α conveys direct neuroprotection both in vitro (a, b) and in vivo (c–h) when delivered acutely. (Salmeron et al., 2019)

Our Stroke Drug Development Services Targeting the Inflammatory Cytokines

Ace Therapeutics can help clients develop stroke drugs that target inflammatory cytokines. Our team of neurobiologists and drug development experts with extensive experience in the field of stroke utilizes advanced imaging systems, high-throughput screening platforms, and molecular analysis tools to help clients unravel the complex mechanisms behind the inflammatory response to stroke and develop stroke drugs.

Identification of Inflammatory Targets in Stroke

We conduct comprehensive studies using genomic analysis and proteomics techniques to identify pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, and IL-10) and key inflammatory mediators (e.g., MMP) that are critically involved in the inflammatory response to stroke.

Design and Optimization of Stroke Drugs

Once potential targets have been identified, our drug discovery team assists clients in finding or designing molecules that modulate these targets. This may involve high-throughput screening of compound libraries, virtual screening, or rational drug design based on the structure and function of the target molecule. We provide computational models for the design of small molecule drugs.

Preclinical Evaluation of Stroke Drugs

• We provide proven animal models of stroke to evaluate drug efficacy and safety, pharmacokinetics, and potential side effects.
• We offer sensitive and specific immunoassays, such as ELISA or Luminex, to quantify cytokine levels in blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples.
• Enzyme activity assays.
• We employ techniques such as immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization to assess the spatial expression and localization of inflammatory mediators in ischemic brain tissue.
• We can modify the chemical structure of drugs using medicinal chemistry, perform formulation optimization to improve drug delivery, and perform pharmacological analysis to assess potential drug-drug interactions.

Ace Therapeutics has a comprehensive set of capabilities to help clients develop drugs that target the various inflammatory pathways and mechanisms that contribute to stroke pathology. We would be happy to discuss these strategies in more detail and how they can be incorporated into your stroke drug development program. If you are interested in our services, please do not hesitate to contact us!

1. Salmeron, K. E., et al. (2019). Interleukin 1 alpha administration is neuroprotective and neuro-restorative following experimental ischemic stroke. Journal of Neuroinflammation, 16, 1-14.