Biogen buys Remedy Pharmaceuticals' stroke drug Cirara

Each year approximately 1.7 million ischemic strokes occur across the US, Europe and Japan, and approximately 15 percent of these are LHI strokes. In pre-clinical studies, Cirara has been shown to block SUR1-TRPM4 channels that mediate stroke related brain swelling. Clinical proof-of-concept studies have demonstrated the potential of Cirara to reduce brain swelling, disability and the risk of death in patients with LHI. 

“Building on our leading position in multiple sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy, and Alzheimer’s disease research, we see a compelling opportunity in stroke where we can leverage our core expertise in neuroscience to make a major difference in patient care. Cirara represents a potential breakthrough stroke treatment that accelerates our efforts to build a portfolio of new therapies for neurologic diseases. We believe the data supporting the potential of Cirara are compelling and that Cirara can be a first-in-class therapy that gives physicians the ability to meaningfully improve patient outcomes in an area where effective treatments have been few and far between,” said Michael Ehlers, executive vice president, research and development at Biogen.

This transaction complements Biogen’s broader efforts to build a portfolio of best-in-class treatments for acute ischemic stroke and further strengthen its leadership in neuroscience. Biogen currently is conducting a phase 2b study to determine whether its monoclonal antibody natalizumab can help patients with acute ischemic stroke improve functional outcomes by limiting brain inflammation in the post-stroke period. If successful, natalizumab and Cirara will provide new approaches to treating different populations of stroke patients.