Oxygen Biotherapeutics announced the signing of a letter of intent to conduct preclinical research for imaging and therapeutic intervention of acute ischaemic stroke. The research will be conducted by Aurum using Oxygen’s proprietary Oxycyte PFC (perfluorocarbon) emulsion in combination with Aurum’s proprietary Glasgow Oxygen Level Dependent (GOLD) magnetic resonance imaging techniques. Per the letter of intent, Aurum will seek funding for this research.
The intent of this research is to better delineate which tissue has been damaged from a stroke, and to determine the effectiveness of the treatment being provided to the model.
“Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the world and better treatments and diagnostics will go a long way toward improving that statistic,” said Chris Stern, chairman and CEO of Oxygen. “We are pleased to collaborate with Aurum on this important research initiative, which clearly is in line with our strategic vision.”
“Aurum is looking forward to working with Oxygen Biotherapeutics on the development of a novel stroke product,” said Gerry McGettigan, CEO of Aurum. “Our combined technology and stroke management product may for the first time allow us to accurately diagnose acute stroke and treat a majority of the patients effectively.”
According to the American Stroke Association, approximately 795,000 Americans each year suffer a new or recurrent stroke. That means, on average, a stroke occurs every 40 seconds. Stroke kills more than 137,000 people a year in the United States alone and is the third leading cause of death behind diseases of the heart and cancer. On average, every 4 minutes someone dies of stroke. About 40% of stroke deaths occur in males, and 60% in females.
According to the Stroke Association, an estimated 150,000 people have a stroke in the UK each year, accounting for around 53,000 deaths annually. Stroke is the third most common cause of death in England and Wales, after heart disease and cancer. Stroke accounts for 9% of all deaths in men and 13% of deaths in women in the UK.
