Introduction

Imagine a world where stroke, specifically one type called intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH), don't have to be as devastating. In ICH, bleeding in the brain triggers inflammation and blood clots that often worsen the damage, leading to poor outcomes. However, Bioxodes is exploring a promising new treatment candidate called BIOX-101 that targets this inflammation and unwanted blood clots, potentially improving recovery for patients. Surprisingly, the active ingredient stems from an unexpected source: ticks. These tiny creatures, often seen as nuisances, hide within their saliva molecules that researchers have isolated and transformed into a potential game-changer in stroke treatment.

The study

To study BIOX-101's efficacy, we conducted experiments on mice with induced ICH. We divided the mice into groups, some receiving BIOX-101, others a placebo, and yet others a standard treatment. We then monitored brain health using imaging techniques.

Key findings

We found out that BIOX-101 did not worsen brain swelling or bleeding compared to the placebo. Importantly, it reduced harmful inflammation, and protected neuronal cells from damage. This is crucial because current treatments can sometimes increase swelling and bleeding without effectively targeting the cause of inflammation.

Potential impact

The findings were especially exciting because there is a significant need for better treatments in ICH. Each year, more than 3 million people worldwide experience ICH, resulting in 2.8 million deaths. What is even more concerning is that a large portion (68 %) of these cases occur in people under 70 years old.

Conclusion

BIOX-101 could be a game-changer in stroke treatment. By targeting the inflammation and blood clot formation that follow brain bleeding, it has the potential to reduce mortality rates and improve recovery outcomes for patients. Bioxodes is currently running a Phase 2a trial in Belgium with ICH patients to test BIOX-101, offering a breakthrough hope for millions of patients around the world.