Australian company Nyrada (ASX:NYR) has reported results from a preclinical pharmacokinetic study of its two lead brain injury drug candidates.
The company said both candidates have achieved durable therapeutic levels when administered via continuous intravenous injection. This is the preferred route for patients suffering from stroke and moderate-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).
It said no adverse effects were observed in the animals in each arm of the study. This indicates the two drug candidates are safe and well-tolerated at the administered dose.
Stroke and TBI are critical public health problems worldwide with survivors facing severe disability and often require long-term care.
The company said its brain injury program aims to develop a treatment for brain injury following stroke and TBI by reducing the build-up of calcium ions in cells. This is a primary driver of neuronal cell death.
The is no current treatment for TBI while the 'clot-busting' treatment for stroke is suitable for less than 15 per cent of patients.
According to Nyrada CEO, James Bonnar, “These latest data provide further evidence that our two potent drug candidates, NYX-242 and NYX-1010, can be given using the preferred route of administration for stroke and moderate-severe TBI patients in the clinical setting.
"The study also showed that dose levels we anticipate being therapeutic were well-tolerated with no adverse effects observed throughout the 6 hours of dosing. This gives us confidence as we advance both drug candidates into preclinical efficacy studies of stroke and TBI.”