Stroke affects 15 million people worldwide each year, and ischemic stroke comprises 87% of cases. It stands as the leading cause of adult disability and ranks second globally among causes of death. Current reperfusion treatments benefit only about 20% of patients due to limited treatment window and strict eligibility criteria. Despite efforts, there is no therapy available to protect the brain from cellular damage in stroke patients.
AptaTargets, a Spanish clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company specializing in aptamer technology, has developed ApTOLL, a new treatment with a powerful neuroprotective effect to address this unmet need. ApTOLL, a first-in-class immune modulator and neuroprotectant, targets Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) with high specificity, blocking the inflammatory response in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients.
With ApTOLL’s impressive record of reducing brain damage by 47% and substantially lowering mortality rates from 18% to just 4%, patients can anticipate not only improved survival but also enhanced functional outcomes and an overall better quality of life. This innovation’s standout potential earned AptaTargets a coveted spot among the winners of the competitive EIC Accelerator funding instrument in the November 2023 cut-off. With €2.5 million in grant funding secured, it is now set to begin its Phase 2b clinical trials.
