Alveron Pharma raises €5 million for rapid brain hemorrhage therapy

Alveron Pharma has raised €5 million to accelerate the development of OKL-1111, a drug that treats brain bleeding within 10 minutes of a CT scan. This breakthrough drug, unique of its kind, neutralizes both anticoagulants and platelet inhibitors, for which there is currently no antidote. The funding, led by Broadview Ventures and supported by investors such as Sanquin and Oost NL, helps the Nijmegen-based company accelerate clinical trials and improve patient outcomes.

Every year, about 41,000 people in the Netherlands suffer a stroke. That's about 117 people a day. About 80% of those affected by a stroke have a brain infarct and 20% have a brain hemorrhage. Alveron's drug offers a promising improvement through rapid administration and effective neutralization of clotting agents, which in time may also reduce healthcare costs.

Revolutionary speed in treatment

The current protocol for treating cerebral hemorrhages has serious delays. Patients often wait more than two hours for treatment, which significantly reduces their chances of survival. With a mortality rate of 30-50% in brain hemorrhages, speed is crucial. OKL-1111 breaks this barrier by being able to be administered within 10 minutes of a CT scan. This is possible because the drug works universally and does not require identification of the specific anticoagulant. Current treatments require time-consuming steps such as anticoagulant identification, expert consultation, and complex dose calculations.

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Unique action against platelet inhibitor

A breakthrough aspect of OKL-1111 is its effectiveness against clopidogrel, a widely used platelet inhibitor for which there was no antidote until now. The drug is distinguished by its ability to neutralize both anticoagulants and platelet inhibitors. This dual action is crucial because the use of these blood thinners significantly increases the risk and severity of brain bleeding. The synthetic agent binds to a downstream clotting factor, resulting in a universal mode of action.

Strategic investment, growing need

The funding comes at a critical time. With an aging population and changing lifestyles, the number of people taking blood thinners is steadily increasing. Hester Tak of East NL emphasizes that blood thinners are not only used by the elderly but also in cancer treatments, for example. These demographic and medical developments are creating a growing market for effective treatments for acute bleeding.