Imagine a world where a stroke - specifically an intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) – has less devastating effects than now. In ICH, the initial bleeding in the brain triggers inflammation and blood clots that often worsen the damage for a patient. Bioxodes is developing a treatment – called BIOX-101 – that targets these secondary effects, and may help the recovery outcome. The active ingredient stems from an unexpected source: ticks. These tiny creatures, widely condemned as a disease-carrying pest, have a good side too: their saliva contains molecules that researchers have transformed into a potential game-changer in stroke treatment.

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

We found 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.

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

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.