A potential brain-protecting drug for people with brain injury after cardiac arrest
IND-enabling studies for a potent and efficient neuroprotective drug
A new drug is being developed to protect the brain in people who suffer severe lack of oxygen to the brain after cardiac arrest.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Neurexis Therapeutics, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11190794 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project is preparing a peptide drug called tatCN19o that blocks an enzyme (CaMKII) which drives brain cell damage after global cerebral ischemia. Researchers have given the drug intravenously in mice and pig models that mimic human cardiac arrest and CPR, often together with therapeutic cooling, and measured anatomical, synaptic, and behavioral outcomes. The team is completing safety, dosing, and manufacturing studies needed to file for FDA permission to begin human trials. If approved, the next steps would be clinical testing in patients who have been resuscitated after cardiac arrest.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people who have experienced global cerebral ischemia after cardiac arrest and have been resuscitated and are receiving emergency hospital care.
Not a fit: People with unrelated types of brain injury, very delayed resuscitation beyond the treatment window, or contraindications to the drug may not benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the drug could markedly reduce brain cell death and long-term cognitive disability after cardiac arrest.
How similar studies have performed: Strong neuroprotection was seen in animal studies, especially when combined with therapeutic hypothermia, but human safety and effectiveness have not yet been demonstrated.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, United States
- Neurexis Therapeutics, INC. — Aurora, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goforth, Robyn L — Neurexis Therapeutics, INC.
- Study coordinator: Goforth, Robyn L
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.