- WA stroke therapy could be a global game changer
- Perth biotech company commences trial in 10 Australian hospitals
- Government funds study to explore opportunities to use drug for Alzheimer's disease
A new groundbreaking drug to reduce brain tissue damage following a stroke is being trialled in hospitals across Australia by Perth-based biotech company Argenica Therapeutics.
Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson lauded the revolutionary drug treatment, which was discovered in Perth, as a game changer for stroke patients.
The treatment is expected to improve patient outcomes by protecting the brain tissue from dying until blood flow can be restored. The drug has the potential to reduce further brain injury and long-term disability.
Researchers say the drug may also be able to halt or slow Alzheimer's disease, but the treatments need to be administered differently for these patients. Argenica is now pursuing further studies, which if successful, could have a huge impact on quality-of-life outcomes for Alzheimer's sufferers.
The Cook Government is following the evolution of this potential 'wonder drug' closely and supporting Argenica as it continues to trial a treatment program. Argenica received a $419,000 grant from the Government's Future Health Research and Innovation Seed Fund Program to develop a new non-invasive administration route for ARG-007 to expand its application into Alzheimer's disease.
Argenica Therapeutics has been researching the different applications for the drug for more than a decade. The drug is now entering phase two of clinical trials in emergency departments across Australia to test its effectiveness in protecting the brain cells of stroke patients.
A total of 92 patients will be dosed with either ARG-007 or a placebo as part of Argenica's national trial, which includes Perth sites at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and Fiona Stanley Hospital.
Phase 1 clinical trials of ARG-007 were undertaken at WA's state-of-the-art Linear Clinical Research facility operating out of QEII Medical Centre in Nedlands. The new drug was found to be safe, tolerable,and absorbed into the body, in healthy human volunteers.
Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability globally with substantial economic costs for post-stroke care.
It is estimated the economic cost to treat stroke victims will reach $183 billion by 2030.
As stated by Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson:
"WA's international reputation as a medical research hub continues to gain momentum.
"It's great to see companies like Perth-based Argenica Therapeutics progress through to clinical trials with a drug that has the potential to revolutionise how a stroke is treated.
"Global pharmaceutical companies will be watching this trial very closely as this drug could be effective against other illnesses, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
"The Cook Government is proud to be able to financially support innovative ideas and medical research masterminded here in Perth."
