Exciting new stroke drug with UPEI connection reaches Phase 3 clinical trials across Canada
National Phase 3 clinical trials have begun for the most promising new stroke treatment in decades. Paramedics at five hospitals across the country are testing NA-1: a drug that had some of its most important early testing right here at UPEI by a team including Dr. Tracy Doucette, Dr. Catherine Ryan (Psychology), and Dr. Andrew Tasker (Biomedical Sciences).
NA-1, which The Globe and Mail calls Canada's first 'blockbuster pharmaceutical' since insulin, proved effective through two rounds of clinical testing at lessening cell death in stroke victims with minimal side-effects. This intra-ambulance trial, dubbed FRONTIER, gives paramedics the opportunity to administer NA-1 soon after a stroke when every minute is precious.
'The start of the FRONTIER trial is a watershed moment in the history of stroke trials,' said Dr. Andrew Tasker. 'If NA-1 proves effective in this trial it will change the landscape for the development of neuroprotectant drugs and is a wonderful endorsement of the value of investigator-driven, basic research in universities. For our lab teams at UPEI to have been major contributors to NA-1's early development is extremely gratifying.'
NA-1 has also shown to be beneficial for all types of stroke, compared to the clot-busting medication tPA, which can only be administered in confirmed cases of ischemic stroke. NA-1 is not designed to break down clots in the brain. It instead acts as a neuroprotectant which enhances the brain's ability to withstand stroke.
"This is a terrific example of how a small group of talented and dedicated scientists can make a discovery that promises to have a huge impact on the treatment of one of the world's most prevalent and debilitating diseases,' said Dr. Robert Gilmour, UPEI's Vice-President Research and Graduate Studies. 'UPEI is extremely fortunate to have been the home base for this pioneering group of scientists, and we congratulate them on this groundbreaking achievement."
The FRONTIER trial began March 16 in Toronto and is expanding to other cities across Canada. Participating hospitals include St. Michael's Hospital, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto Western Hospital, Trillium Health Partners, and Vancouver General Hospital.
The FRONTIER trial is supported by a Multi-Investigator Research Initiative grant from the Brain Canada Foundation, and is supported by NoNO Inc. The Globe and Mail published a story on Monday, March 23 about the FRONTIER trial. Read about it here.
