DiaMedica Announces First Enrollment in its PHASE 2 “REMEDY” TRIAL for Acute Ischemic Stroke
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DM199 may offer an effective and safe treatment with a significantly longer treatment window (24 hours) compared to the current standard of care
- REMEDY trial lead by prominent neurologist Dr. Bruce Campbell, its Principal Investigator
MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DiaMedica Therapeutics Inc. (“DiaMedica”) (TSX VENTURE:DMA) (OTCQB:DMCAF), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on improving lives of patients with neurological and kidney diseases associated with low KLK1 levels, announces the first patient enrollment in its Phase 2 REMEDY trial assessing the safety, tolerability and markers of therapeutic efficacy of DM199 (recombinant human KLK1) in patients suffering from acute ischemic stroke at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne Australia.
REMEDY is a multi-center, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 2 clinical trial investigating DM199 treatment in patients who have suffered a moderate to moderately severe acute ischemic stroke. The trial will enroll approximately 60 patients who will be randomized to receive either DM199 or placebo. The study drug (DM199 or placebo) is administered as an intravenous infusion within 24 hours of stroke symptom onset followed by subcutaneous injections every three days for a period of three weeks. Primary endpoints include safety and tolerability. Secondary endpoints consist of the standard functional stroke scales (NIHSS, Modified Rankin Scale and Barthel Index), the plasma concentration of DM199 and multiple tests designed to investigate DM199’s therapeutic potential based upon standard plasma-based biomarkers, such as inflammation.
The Principal Investigator of the study is Bruce Campbell, MD, MBBS(Hons) BMedSc PhD, FRACP, a neurologist and Head of Hyperacute Stroke in the Department of Neurology, Royal Melbourne Hospital. Dr. Campbell commented, “I look forward to the outcome of the trial in the potential advancement of treatment options for patients with ischemic stroke.”
Mr. Rick Pauls, President and CEO of DiaMedica, stated, “We look forward to working with Dr. Campbell and all site investigators as we enter the enrollment phase of the REMEDY trial.” Mr. Pauls further commented, “In addition to the Royal Melbourne site we expect to have additional centers enrolling patients in the very near future.”
The design of the REMEDY trial builds upon the recently completed Phase 1b pharmacokinetic study in which DiaMedica identified a DM199 dosing strategy that restored deficient KLK1 levels and demonstrated a pharmacokinetic profile superior to the Chinese approved Kailikang® product. DiaMedica estimates that over 50,000 stroke patients annually are prescribed Kailikang despite its known deficiencies in formulation and the challenges of its human urine sourcing.
About KLK1:
DM199 is a recombinant (synthetic) form of human tissue kallikrein ("KLK1"), a protein currently used to treat neurological and kidney diseases. Dr. Todd Verdoorn, Chief Scientific Officer of DiaMedica stated, “DM199 activates molecular pathways that improve vasodilation, angiogenesis and blood flow. KLK1 also reduces fibrosis, inflammation and oxidative stress to protect brain tissue from damage caused by stroke and is expected to promote faster, more complete recovery of function for stroke patients.” Dr. Verdoorn further commented, “DM199 represents a novel, breakthrough treatment strategy for acute ischemic stroke. Together with an excellent safety profile, the short and long-term actions of DM199 on blood flow and neuronal health could markedly enhance recovery and improve the quality of life for patients suffering from stroke.”
About Ischemic Stroke:
An acute ischemic stroke is characterized by rapid loss of brain function due to an interruption of blood supply to the brain due to a blood clot. Affected areas of the brain become inactive and cells eventually die causing neurological impairment. Each year over 12 million people worldwide suffer an acute ischemic stroke and it is the leading cause of death and disability globally. Currently, the only approved drug treatment in the United States and Europe is tPA (Activase®). However, only 5-7% of acute ischemic stroke patients are actually treated with tPA due to eligibility, its short treatment window and other issues.
About DiaMedica Therapeutics Inc.
DiaMedica Therapeutics is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel treatments for neurological and kidney diseases. DiaMedica's shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the trading symbol "DMA" and on the OTCQB under the trading symbol "DMCAF". For more information, please visit www.diamedica.com. Follow us on social media - Twitter, LinkedIn.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
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DiaMedica Therapeutics Inc.
For further information, please contact:
Paul Papi
Vice President of Business Development
DiaMedica Therapeutics Inc.
Two Carlson Parkway, Suite 260
Minneapolis, MN
Phone: (617) 899-5941
info@diamedica.com
Released February 22, 2018