In order to reduce the high level of disabilities and stroke recurrence in cases of acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) it is vital that the diverse unmet needs are addressed, according to data and analytics company, GlobalData.
Stroke
A recent survey of key opinion leaders and high-prescribing physicians, performed by GlobalData, revealed that the most significant unmet need is the limited number of effective therapies available both during and after a stroke event.
Currently, the only available therapy that can effectively revers ischaemic stroke is Genentech’s Activase (alteplase). However, this is only available to a small proportion of AIS patients.
“Despite recent advances with mechanical thrombectomy and thrombolytic therapy, many AIS patients are still left with disabling symptoms after having a stroke,” stressed Edit Kovalcsik, PhD, pharma analyst at GlobalData. “Effective secondary prevention is hindered by insufficient choice of medications and the low level of patient adherence to medication.”
Among the high-prescribing physicians, included in the survey the need for safer and more effective thrombolysis was rated as highest in the eight major markets (8MM).
“One reason for this could be the fear of brain haemorrhage that is associated with the administration of Activase, which causes many clinicians to avoid using the drug, particularly when diagnosis is not confirmative,” Kovalcsik continued. “Only one drug, ZZ Biotech’s 3K3A-APC, a genetically engineered variant of recombinant activated protein C (APC) that originated from The Scripps Research Institute, is under development to reduce brain haemorrhage in AIS patients.”
Rapid vessel recanalisation is vital to improve the patient’s functional status and reduce mortality during an AIS event. Thrombolysis through Activase increases the risk of brain haemorrhage, leaving patients with permanent disabilities. However, the current AIS pipeline only contains three thrombolytic drugs, all of which are in early stages of development despite the high level of need for such a medication.
Other unmet needs, which need to be addressed, include effective neuroprotective agents, increased patient and physician awareness, and patients’ need for assistance with taking medication for secondary stroke prevention.
The effectiveness of current management options for AIS depends on rapid diagnosis as well as an assessment of the type of stroke and a patient’s general clinical status.
“Issues regarding access to stroke care and receiving vital treatment, particularly for patients living in rural areas, remain a cause of concern for many patients,” concluded Kovalcsik. “Continued public education campaigns, specialist doctor training for prompt diagnosis and acute stroke care, and assistance with taking medication should be continuous efforts to optimise stroke management.”