Argenica Therapeutics records positive results from ARG-007 study into cerebral ischaemia
Argenica chief executive officer Dr Liz Dallimore says the pre-clinical data confirms ARG-007 can offer neuroprotection to other conditions beyond stroke, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy and traumatic brain injury.
Argenica Therapeutics (ASX: AGN) has recorded positive results from a pre-clinical study assessing the efficacy of lead candidate ARG-007 in protecting brain cells following cerebral ischaemia (or blood flow disruption) caused by cardiac arrest and certain heart surgeries.
Utilising a four-vessel occlusion (4-VO) rat model, the study found that when the drug is administered after disruption of blood flow to the brain, it could result in reduced cell death in hippocampal neurons (CA1 neurons).
The study compared data between uninjured, non-ischaemic (sham) rats which underwent surgery but did not have their vertebral and carotid arteries occluded and were not given saline or ARG-007; and injured (4-VO) rats which underwent surgery, had their arteries occluded and were given a placebo (saline) as treatment (vehicle).
There was also a treatment group (4-VO plus ARG-007) which underwent surgery, had their arteries occluded and were given a dose of ARG-007 prior to recovery.
4-VO research model
The 4-VO model is widely employed by researchers to mimic pathological conditions of blood flow disruption by occluding key arteries leading to the brain.
The model is used to replicate brain injury caused by blood flow disruption, as well as the subsequent and sudden restoration of blood flow to the brain once cardiac rhythm is restored.
This cerebral ischaemia, and the subsequent restoration of blood flow, can cause significant brain injury and cognitive impairment in human patients.
Despite the risks and impact of cerebral ischaemia following cardiac arrest, coronary bypass operations, aorta repair and other heart surgeries, there is currently no established neuroprotective standard of care for the treatment and management of global cerebral ischaemia.
Further evidence
Argenica chief executive officer Dr Liz Dallimore said the pre-clinical results provide evidence of ARG-007’s neuroprotective capabilities in situations where cardiac output is decreased.
“Brain injury resulting from a reduction in blood flow to the brain can result in long-term neurological deficits in patients,” she said.
“This data provides confirmation that ARG-007 can offer neuroprotection in applications beyond focal stroke, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy and traumatic brain injury.”
Dr Dallimore said the data would be used to provide supporting evidence of ARG-007’s neuroprotective efficacy as Argenica begins its phase 1 clinical trial to assess the drug’s safety in healthy human volunteers.